The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.

Read full chapter

The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(A)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(B)

Read full chapter

A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

Read full chapter

The soothing tongue(A) is a tree of life,(B)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.(C)

Read full chapter

The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

Read full chapter

The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(A)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

Read full chapter

23 A man hath joy by the answer of his mouth: and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!

Read full chapter

23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply(A)
    and how good is a timely word!(B)

Read full chapter

28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Read full chapter

28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,(A)
    but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.(B)

Read full chapter

20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

Read full chapter

20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[a](A)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good

23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

Read full chapter

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(A)
    and their lips promote instruction.[a](B)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive

24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

Read full chapter

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,(A)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.(B)

Read full chapter

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Read full chapter

Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
    how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(A)

Read full chapter

The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook.

Read full chapter

The words of the mouth are deep waters,(A)
    but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

Read full chapter

A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

Read full chapter

The mouths of fools are their undoing,
    and their lips are a snare(A) to their very lives.(B)

Read full chapter

20 A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

Read full chapter

20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
    with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.(A)

Read full chapter

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Read full chapter

21 The tongue has the power of life and death,(A)
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.(B)

Read full chapter