Proverbs 9:7-9
International Standard Version
Wisdom Extends Life
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites only insult,[a]
and whoever rebukes the wicked will himself become stained.
8 Don’t rebuke a mocker or he will hate you.
Rebuke a wise person, and he will love you.
9 Counsel a wise man,
and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man,
and he will add to his learning.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 9:7 Lit. insult to himself
Proverbs 10:10-11
International Standard Version
11 What the righteous say[c] is a flowing fountain,[d]
but what the wicked say[e] conceals violence.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:10 I.e. Those whose looks communicate insincerity
- Proverbs 10:10 So MT; LXX reads makers, but the one who reproves publicly makes peace
- Proverbs 10:11 Lit. The mouth of the righteous
- Proverbs 10:11 Lit. a fountain of life
- Proverbs 10:11 Lit. but the mouth of the wicked
Proverbs 10:13-14
International Standard Version
13 Wisdom characterizes the speech[a] of the discerning,
but the rod is for the backs of those lacking discernment.
14 Those who are wise store up knowledge,
but when the fool speaks,[b] destruction is near.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:13 Lit. Wisdom is found on the lips
- Proverbs 10:14 Lit. but the mouth of the fool
Proverbs 10:13-14
International Standard Version
13 Wisdom characterizes the speech[a] of the discerning,
but the rod is for the backs of those lacking discernment.
14 Those who are wise store up knowledge,
but when the fool speaks,[b] destruction is near.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 10:13 Lit. Wisdom is found on the lips
- Proverbs 10:14 Lit. but the mouth of the fool
Proverbs 11:13
International Standard Version
13 Whoever spreads gossip betrays secrets,
but the trustworthy person[a] keeps a confidence.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 11:13 Lit. trustworthy in spirit
Proverbs 12:13-14
International Standard Version
13 An evil man’s sinful speech ensnares him,
but the righteous person escapes from trouble.
14 By his fruitful speech a man can remain satisfied,
and a man’s handiwork will reward him.
Proverbs 12:16-19
International Standard Version
16 The anger of a fool becomes readily apparent,
but the prudent person overlooks an insult.
17 The truth teller speaks what is right,
but the false witness speaks what is[a] deceitful.
18 Some speak rashly like the cutting of a sword,
but what the wise say promotes healing.
19 A truthful saying[b] is trusted forever,
but the liar[c] only for a moment.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:17 The Heb. lacks speaks what is
- Proverbs 12:19 Lit. lips
- Proverbs 12:19 Lit. the lying tongue
Proverbs 12:22-23
International Standard Version
22 Deceitful speech is reprehensible to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 A prudent man keeps what he knows to himself,[a]
but the hearts of fools shout forth their foolishness.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 12:23 The Heb. lacks to himself
Proverbs 12:25
International Standard Version
25 A person’s anxiety weighs down his heart,
but an appropriate word is encouraging.
Proverbs 13:2-3
International Standard Version
2 From the fruit of his words a man receives benefit,[a]
but the treacherous crave violence.
3 Anyone who guards his words protects his life;
anyone who talks too much[b] is ruined.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 13:2 Lit. man eats good things
- Proverbs 13:3 Lit. who opens wide his lips
Proverbs 14:3
International Standard Version
3 What a fool says brings[a] a rod to his back,
but the words of the wise protect them.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 14:3 Lit. The mouth of the fool
Proverbs 14:5
International Standard Version
5 A trustworthy witness does not deceive,
but a false witness spews lies.
Proverbs 15:1-2
International Standard Version
How to Live Wisely
15 A gentle response diverts anger,
but a harsh statement incites fury.
2 The wise speak, presenting[a] knowledge appropriately,
but fools spout foolishness.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:2 Lit. The tongues of the wise present
Proverbs 15:4
International Standard Version
4 A gentle statement[a] is a tree of life,
but perverted speech shatters the spirit.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:4 Lit. tongue
Proverbs 15:7
International Standard Version
7 What the wise have to say disseminates[a] knowledge,
but it’s not in the heart of fools to do so.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 15:7 Lit. The lips of the wise spread
Proverbs 15:23
International Standard Version
23 An appropriate answer brings joy to a person,
and a well-timed word is a good thing.
Proverbs 15:26
International Standard Version
26 To the Lord evil plans are detestable,
but pleasant words are pure.
Proverbs 15:28
International Standard Version
28 The mind of the righteous thinks before speaking,
but the wicked person spews out evil.
Proverbs 16:1
International Standard Version
Wisdom’s Blessings
Read full chapterFootnotes
- Proverbs 16:1 Lit. Preparations of the heart belong to human beings
- Proverbs 16:1 Or the response of the tongue
Proverbs 16:10
International Standard Version
10 When a king is ready to speak officially,[a]
what he says should not err with respect to justice.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 16:10 Lit. king speaks an oracle
Proverbs 16:13
International Standard Version
13 Kings take pleasure in righteous speech;
they treasure a person who speaks what is upright.
Proverbs 16:21
International Standard Version
21 The wise-hearted person is told to be discerning,
and that pleasant speech promotes instruction.
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
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
International Standard Version
5 Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their maker,
and whoever is happy about disaster
will not go unpunished.
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