Proverbs 20:14
New International Version
“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer— then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

New Living Translation
The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain!

English Standard Version
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.

Berean Standard Bible
“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.

King James Bible
It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

New King James Version
It is good for nothing,” cries the buyer; But when he has gone his way, then he boasts.

New American Standard Bible
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

NASB 1995
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

NASB 1977
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer; But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

Legacy Standard Bible
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, But when he goes his way, then he boasts.

Amplified Bible
“It is [almost] worthless, it is [almost] worthless,” says the buyer [as he negotiates the price]; But when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain].

Christian Standard Bible
“It’s worthless, it’s worthless! ” the buyer says, but after he is on his way, he gloats.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says, but after he is on his way, he gloats.

American Standard Version
It is bad, it is bad, saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

Contemporary English Version
Everyone likes to brag about getting a bargain.

English Revised Version
It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
"Bad! Bad!" says the buyer. Then, as he goes away, he brags [about his bargain].

Good News Translation
The customer always complains that the price is too high, but then he goes off and brags about the bargain he got.

International Standard Version
"This is bad, bad," says whoever is buying— but then he brags as he walks away after the sale.

Majority Standard Bible
“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats.

NET Bible
"It's worthless! It's worthless!" says the buyer, but when he goes on his way, he boasts.

New Heart English Bible
"It's no good, it's no good," says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

Webster's Bible Translation
It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone, then he boasteth.

World English Bible
“It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, "" And then he boasts himself going his way.

Young's Literal Translation
'Bad, bad,' saith the buyer, And going his way then he boasteth himself.

Smith's Literal Translation
Evil, evil, he buying will say: and departing to him, and then he will boast.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
It is nought, it is nought, saith every buyer: and when he is gone away, then he will boast.

Catholic Public Domain Version
“It is bad, it is bad,” says every buyer; and when he has withdrawn, then he will boast.

New American Bible
“Bad, bad!” says the buyer, then goes away only to boast.

New Revised Standard Version
“Bad, bad,” says the buyer, then goes away and boasts.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A friend says to his friend, I have made a gain; then he boasts.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A friend may say to his companion, "I have acquired wealth”, and then he will be praised.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
It is bad, it is bad', saith the buyer; But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wine is a Mocker
13Do not love sleep, or you will grow poor; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of food. 14“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats. 15There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.…

Cross References
Proverbs 11:1
Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight.

Proverbs 21:6
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

Proverbs 16:11
Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern.

Proverbs 19:1
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.

Proverbs 22:16
Oppressing the poor to enrich oneself or giving gifts to the rich will surely lead to poverty.

Proverbs 28:8
He who increases his wealth by interest and usury lays it up for one who is kind to the poor.

Proverbs 10:2
Ill-gotten treasures profit nothing, but righteousness brings deliverance from death.

Proverbs 13:11
Dishonest wealth will dwindle, but what is earned through hard work will be multiplied.

Proverbs 14:23
There is profit in all labor, but mere talk leads only to poverty.

Proverbs 15:27
He who is greedy for unjust gain brings trouble on his household, but he who hates bribes will live.

Proverbs 23:23
Invest in truth and never sell it—in wisdom and instruction and understanding.

Proverbs 30:8-9
Keep falsehood and deceitful words far from me. Give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the bread that is my portion. / Otherwise, I may have too much and deny You, saying, ‘Who is the LORD?’ Or I may become poor and steal, profaning the name of my God.

Matthew 7:12
In everything, then, do to others as you would have them do to you. For this is the essence of the Law and the Prophets.

Luke 6:31
Do to others as you would have them do to you.

James 5:1-6
Come now, you who are rich, weep and wail over the misery to come upon you. / Your riches have rotted and moths have eaten your clothes. / Your gold and silver are corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and consume your flesh like fire. You have hoarded treasure in the last days. ...


Treasury of Scripture

It is naught, it is naught, said the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

it is naught

Ecclesiastes 1:10
Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

Hosea 12:7,8
He is a merchant, the balances of deceit are in his hand: he loveth to oppress…

1 Thessalonians 4:6
That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.

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Proverbs 20
1. Proper Living














It is worthless, it is worthless!
This phrase captures the essence of a common practice in ancient marketplaces, where buyers would often devalue an item to negotiate a better price. The Hebrew word for "worthless" is "ra," which can also mean "bad" or "evil." This reflects a deeper moral issue beyond mere haggling; it suggests deceit and manipulation. In a conservative Christian perspective, this behavior is contrary to the biblical call for honesty and integrity. The Bible consistently teaches that our words should reflect truth and righteousness, as seen in passages like Ephesians 4:25, which urges believers to "put away falsehood."

says the buyer
The "buyer" here represents anyone who engages in commerce or negotiation. In ancient times, as now, the buyer's role was crucial in determining the value of goods. The Hebrew term for "says" is "amar," which implies a declaration or assertion. This suggests that the buyer's words carry weight and influence. From a scriptural standpoint, this highlights the responsibility that comes with our speech. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that "death and life are in the power of the tongue," urging believers to use their words wisely and truthfully.

but when he goes on his way
This phrase indicates a transition from the act of negotiation to the aftermath. The buyer's departure signifies the completion of the transaction, but it also reveals a change in demeanor. The Hebrew root "halak," meaning "to go" or "to walk," suggests movement and progression. In a spiritual sense, this can be seen as a metaphor for the journey of life, where our actions and words have lasting consequences. The Bible encourages believers to walk in integrity, as seen in Micah 6:8, which calls us to "walk humbly with your God."

then he boasts about it
The act of boasting reveals the buyer's true intentions and character. The Hebrew word "halal" means "to boast" or "to praise," often used in the context of self-glorification. This behavior is condemned in scripture, as it reflects pride and a lack of humility. James 4:16 warns against such arrogance, stating, "As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil." From a conservative Christian perspective, this verse serves as a reminder to seek humility and to give glory to God rather than ourselves. The buyer's boast contrasts with the biblical call to live a life marked by honesty, humility, and integrity.

(14) It is naught, saith the buyer.--He cries down the goods he wants to purchase.

Then he boasteth.--How he has outdone the seller, and got the goods below their value. For other notices of cheating in trade see above on Proverbs 11:1.

Verse 14. - It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer. The purchaser depreciates the goods which he wants, in order to lower the price demanded - a practice as common now as in old time. "I don't want it, I don't want it," says the Spanish friar; "but drop it into my hood." The Scotch say, "He that lacks (disparages) my mare would buy my mare" (Kelly). But when he is gone his way, then he boasteth. When he has completed his purchase and obtained the goods at his own price, he boasts how he has tricked the seller. The LXX. omits vers. 14-19.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
“Worthless,
רַ֣ע (ra‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

worthless!”
רַ֭ע (ra‘)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 7451: Bad, evil

says
יֹאמַ֣ר (yō·mar)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

the buyer,
הַקּוֹנֶ֑ה (haq·qō·w·neh)
Article | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 7069: To erect, create, to procure, by purchase, to own

but on the way out,
וְאֹזֵ֥ל (wə·’ō·zêl)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 235: To go away, to disappear

he gloats.
יִתְהַלָּֽל׃ (yiṯ·hal·lāl)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1984: To shine


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:14 It's no good it's no good says (Prov. Pro Pr)
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