14:5

Notice the parallel parts that contrast in meaning:

5a
An honest witness does not deceive,

5b but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.

This verse is similar to 12:17. That verse has “declares what is right” in the first line and “speaks deceit” in the second line.

14:5a

An honest witness does not deceive: The word honest also means “reliable” or “truthful.” Some other ways to express the meaning of this line are:

A truthful witness tells no lies (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
A reliable witness always tells the truth (Good News Translation)

14:5b

a dishonest witness pours forth lies: In Hebrew, this line is identical to 6:19a, where the Berean Standard Bible translates it as “a false witness…gives false testimony.”

a dishonest witness: This phrase refers to a person who testifies what he knows to be untrue. This testimony may be given either in court or in an informal setting.

pours forth lies: In Hebrew, this phrase is literally “breathes/blows lies.” This poetic expression may imply that the false witness lies repeatedly or that it is easy for him to lie. For example:

the false witness lies with every breath (New Jerusalem Bible)
-or-
a dishonest witness tells nothing but lies (Contemporary English Version)

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