Proverbs 16:23-24
World English Bible
23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
Proverbs 16:23-24
International Standard Version
23 A wise person’s thoughts[a] control his words,
and his speech promotes instruction.
24 Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb—
sweet to the soul and healing for the body.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:23 Lit. heart
- Proverbs 16:24 Lit. bone
Proverbs 16:27
World English Bible
27 A worthless man devises mischief.
His speech is like a scorching fire.
Proverbs 16:27
International Standard Version
27 A worthless person concocts evil gossip[a]—
his lips are like a burning fire.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:27 The Heb. lacks gossip
Proverbs 17:5
World English Bible
5 Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker.
He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Proverbs 17:5
International Standard Version
5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their maker,
and whoever is happy about disaster
will not go unpunished.
Proverbs 17:7
World English Bible
7 Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool,
much less do lying lips fit a prince.
Proverbs 17:7
International Standard Version
7 Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool;
how much more are deceitful statements[a] with a prince!
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:7 Lit. lips
Proverbs 17:9
World English Bible
9 He who covers an offense promotes love;
but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
Proverbs 17:9
International Standard Version
9 Anyone who overlooks[a] an offense promotes love,
but someone who gossips separates close friends.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 17:9 Lit. covers
Proverbs 17:27-28
World English Bible
27 He who spares his words has knowledge.
He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise.
When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.
Proverbs 17:27-28
International Standard Version
27 Whoever controls what he says is knowledgeable;
anyone who has a calm spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent;
he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut.
Proverbs 18:4
World English Bible
4 The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters.
The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
Proverbs 18:4
International Standard Version
4 The words a man says are as deep waters—
a fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
Proverbs 18:13
World English Bible
13 He who answers before he hears,
that is folly and shame to him.
Proverbs 18:13
International Standard Version
13 Whoever answers before listening
is both foolish and shameful.
Proverbs 18:17
World English Bible
17 He who pleads his cause first seems right;
until another comes and questions him.
Proverbs 18:17
International Standard Version
17 The first to put forth his case seems right,
until someone else steps forward and cross-examines him.
Proverbs 18:20-21
World English Bible
20 A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth.
With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:20-21
International Standard Version
20 The positive words that a man speaks[a] fill his stomach;
he will be satisfied with what his lips produce.
21 The power of the tongue is life and death—
those who love to talk[b] will eat what it produces.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 18:20 Lit. words from a man’s mouth
- Proverbs 18:21 Lit. love it
Proverbs 20:3
World English Bible
3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling.
Proverbs 20:3
International Standard Version
3 Avoiding strife brings a man honor,
but every fool is quarrelsome.
Proverbs 20:3
World English Bible
3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
but every fool will be quarreling.
Proverbs 20:3
International Standard Version
3 Avoiding strife brings a man honor,
but every fool is quarrelsome.
Proverbs 22:11
World English Bible
11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully
is the king’s friend.
Proverbs 22:11
International Standard Version
11 Whoever loves purity[a] and gracious speech
will gain the king as his friend.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 22:11 Lit. purity of heart
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