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Blessings cover the head of a righteous person,
but violence covers the mouths of wicked people.

The name of a righteous person remains blessed,
but the names of wicked people will rot away.

Proverbs Concerning the Mouth

The one who is truly wise accepts commands,
but the one who talks foolishly will be thrown down headfirst.
Whoever lives honestly will live securely,
but whoever lives dishonestly will be found out.
10 Whoever winks with his eye causes heartache.
The one who talks foolishly will be thrown down headfirst.
11 The mouth of a righteous person is a fountain of life,
but the mouths of wicked people conceal violence.
12 Hate starts quarrels,
but love covers every wrong.

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of a person who has understanding,
but a rod is for the back of one without sense.

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Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
    but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[a](A)

The name of the righteous(B) is used in blessings,[b]
    but the name of the wicked(C) will rot.(D)

The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.(E)

Whoever walks in integrity(F) walks securely,(G)
    but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.(H)

10 Whoever winks maliciously(I) causes grief,
    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(J)
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(K)

12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
    but love covers over all wrongs.(L)

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,(M)
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.(N)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:6 Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
  2. Proverbs 10:7 See Gen. 48:20.

18 Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips.
Whoever spreads slander is a fool.

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18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips(A)
    and spreads slander is a fool.

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13 Whoever gossips gives away secrets,
but whoever is trustworthy in spirit can keep a secret.

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13 A gossip betrays a confidence,(A)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.(B)

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The thoughts of righteous people are fair.
The advice of wicked people is treacherous.
The words of wicked people are a deadly ambush,
but the words [a] of decent people rescue.

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Footnotes

  1. 12:6 Or “mouths.”

The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.(A)

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13 An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk,
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.

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13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(A)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.(B)

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15 A stubborn fool considers his own way the right one,
but a person who listens to advice is wise.
16 When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately,
but a sensible person hides the insult.

17 A truthful witness speaks honestly,
but a lying witness speaks deceitfully.
18 Careless words stab like a sword,
but the words of wise people bring healing.

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15 The way of fools seems right to them,(A)
    but the wise listen to advice.(B)

16 Fools(C) show their annoyance at once,(D)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.(E)

17 An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.(F)

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,(G)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(H)

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20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil,
but joy belongs to those who advise peace.

21 No ⌞lasting⌟ harm comes to a righteous person,
but wicked people have lots of trouble.

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20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
    but those who promote peace have joy.(A)

21 No harm overtakes the righteous,(B)
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

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23 A sensible person ⌞discreetly⌟ hides knowledge,
but foolish minds preach stupidity.

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23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,(A)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.(B)

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One person pretends to be rich but has nothing.
Another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.

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One person pretends to be rich, yet has nothing;(A)
    another pretends to be poor, yet has great wealth.(B)

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16 Any sensible person acts with knowledge,
but a fool displays stupidity.
17 An undependable messenger gets into trouble,
but a dependable envoy brings healing.

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16 All who are prudent act with[a] knowledge,
    but fools expose(A) their folly.(B)

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,(C)
    but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through

The wisdom of a sensible person guides his way of life,
but the stupidity of fools misleads them.

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The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(A)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(B)

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16 A wise person is cautious and turns away from evil,
but a fool is careless and overconfident.

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16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(A)
    but a fool(B) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

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27 A worthless person plots trouble,
and his speech is like a burning fire.
28 A devious person spreads quarrels.
A gossip separates the closest of friends.
29 A violent person misleads his neighbor
and leads him on a path that is not good.
30 Whoever winks his eye is plotting something devious.
Whoever bites his lips has finished his evil work.

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27 A scoundrel(A) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(B)

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(C)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(D)

29 A violent person entices their neighbor
    and leads them down a path that is not good.(E)

30 Whoever winks(F) with their eye is plotting perversity;
    whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

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