PROVERBS TEXTS ON SPEECH
Simon van Bruchem
IMPORTANCE OF LISTENING TO GOD/WISDOM
(1) The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
(2) To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,
(3) to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
(4) to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth–
(5) Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
(6) to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
(7) The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
(8) Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching,
(9) for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
(1) My son, if you receive my words and treasure up my commandments with you,
(2) making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
(1) Hear, O sons, a father’s instruction, and be attentive, that you may gain insight,
(4) he taught me and said to me, “Let your heart hold fast my words; keep my commandments, and live.
(10) Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.
(20) My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
(1) My son, be attentive to my wisdom; incline your ear to my understanding,
(2) that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.
(7) And now, O sons, listen to me, and do not depart from the words of my mouth.
(20) My son, keep your father’s commandment, and forsake not your mother’s teaching.
(21) Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.
(22) When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.
(23) For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life,
(24) to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress.
(24) And now, O sons, listen to me, and be attentive to the words of my mouth.
(8) The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
(10) Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
(11) The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
(17) Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply your heart to my knowledge,
(18) for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
(12) Apply your heart to instruction and your ear to words of knowledge.
(15) My son, if your heart is wise, my heart too will be glad.
(16) My inmost being will exult when your lips speak what is right.
(19) Hear, my son, and be wise, and direct your heart in the way.
(22) Listen to your father who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.
(9) Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.
LISTENING TO CORRECTION/REBUKE/REPROOF
(23) If you turn at my reproof, behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
(24) Because I have called and you refused to listen, have stretched out my hand and no one has heeded,
(25) because you have ignored all my counsel and would have none of my reproof,
(26) I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when terror strikes you,
(27) when terror strikes you like a storm and your calamity comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
(28) Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but will not find me.
(29) Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD,
(30) would have none of my counsel and despised all my reproof,
(31) therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices.
(32) For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them;
(33) but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.”
(13) I did not listen to the voice of my teachers or incline my ear to my instructors.
(14) I am at the brink of utter ruin in the assembled congregation.”
(32) “And now, O sons, listen to me: blessed are those who keep my ways.
(33) Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.
(34) Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.
(7) Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse, and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
(8) Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you; reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
(9) Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser; teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning.
(17) Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray.
12(15) The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
13(1) A wise son hears his father’s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke.
(10) By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.
(13) Whoever despises the word brings destruction on himself, but he who reveres the commandment will be rewarded.
(14) The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
(18) Poverty and disgrace come to him who ignores instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is honored.
15(5) A fool despises his father’s instruction, but whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
(10) There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die.
(12) A scoffer does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
(14) The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
(31) The ear that listens to life-giving reproof will dwell among the wise.
(32) Whoever ignores instruction despises himself, but he who listens to reproof gains intelligence.
(33) The fear of the LORD is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.
16(22) Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
17(10) A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
(20) Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.
19(27) Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
(11) When a scoffer is punished, the simple becomes wise; when a wise man is instructed, he gains knowledge.
(1) He who is often reproved, yet stiffens his neck, will suddenly be broken beyond healing.
THE GOD WHO SPEAKS
(20) Wisdom cries aloud in the street, in the markets she raises her voice;
(6) For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
(12) delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech,
(16) So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words,
(1) Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice?
(2) On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand;
(3) beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud:
(4) “To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man.
(5) O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense.
(6) Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right,
(7) for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
(8) All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them.
(9) They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.
(10) Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold,
(11) for wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
(12) “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.
(13) The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.
(14) I have counsel and sound wisdom; I have insight; I have strength.
(3) She has sent out her young women to call from the highest places in the town,
(1) The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the LORD.
(12) The hearing ear and the seeing eye, the LORD has made them both.
22(12) The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor.
(5) Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
(6) Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar.
WORDS ENTICING OTHERS TO SIN
1(10) My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
(11) If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason;
(16) So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words,
5(3) For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil,
(4) but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword.
(13) She seizes him and kisses him, and with bold face she says to him,
(21) With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him.
(15) calling to those who pass by, who are going straight on their way,
(16) “Whoever is simple, let him turn in here!” And to him who lacks sense she says,
(17) “Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant.”
22(14) The mouth of forbidden women is a deep pit; he with whom the LORD is angry will fall into it.
(1) Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them,
(2) for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble.
(20) This is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, “I have done no wrong.”
EQUATING SIN WITH WICKED WORDS
(16) So you will be delivered from the forbidden woman, from the adulteress with her smooth words,
(16) There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:
(17) haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
(18) a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,
(19) a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
(6) The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them.
UNWISE/UNLOVING USE OF WORDS
(28) Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”–when you have it with you.
(24) Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
(12) A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech,
10(18) The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.
(19) When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
(9) With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
(11) By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown.
(12) Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.
(13) Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.
12(17) Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
12(18) There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
12(19) Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
(22) Lying lips are an abomination to the LORD, but those who act faithfully are his delight.
13(3) Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
(10) By insolence comes nothing but strife, but with those who take advice is wisdom.
(1) A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
(2) The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
15(4) A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
(27) A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.
(28) A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.
(1) Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.
(4) An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
(5) Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker; he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
(2) A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
(6) A fool’s lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating.
(7) A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
(8) The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
(13) If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
(1) Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
(5) A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape.
(9) A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish.
(13) A foolish son is ruin to his father, and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.
19(28) A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
19(29) Condemnation is ready for scoffers, and beating for the backs of fools.
(17) Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.
(19) Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.
(20) If one curses his father or his mother, his lamp will be put out in utter darkness.
(22) Do not say, “I will repay evil”; wait for the LORD, and he will deliver you.
(25) It is a snare to say rashly, “It is holy,” and to reflect only after making vows.
(6) The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death.
(9) It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
(19) It is better to live in a desert land than with a quarrelsome and fretful woman.
22(13) The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!”
(29) Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaining? Who has wounds without cause? Who has redness of eyes?
(30) Those who tarry long over wine; those who go to try mixed wine.
(31) Do not look at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup and goes down smoothly.
(32) In the end it bites like a serpent and stings like an adder.
(33) Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart utter perverse things.
(34) You will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, like one who lies on the top of a mast.
(35) “They struck me,” you will say, “but I was not hurt; they beat me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake? I must have another drink.”
(12) If you say, “Behold, we did not know this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who keeps watch over your soul know it, and will he not repay man according to his work?
(28) Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
(29) Do not say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will pay the man back for what he has done.”
25(9) Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,
(10) lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.
(18) A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow.
(20) Whoever sings songs to a heavy heart is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, and like vinegar on soda.
(24) It is better to live in a corner of the housetop than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.
26(6) Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.
(7) Like a lame man’s legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
(9) Like a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
(13) The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! There is a lion in the streets!”
(16) The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes than seven men who can answer sensibly.
(17) Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.
(18) Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death
(19) is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”
(20) For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.
(21) As charcoal to hot embers and wood to fire, so is a quarrelsome man for kindling strife.
(22) The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body.
(23) Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart.
(24) Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart;
(25) when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart;
(26) though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
(27) Whoever digs a pit will fall into it, and a stone will come back on him who starts it rolling.
(28) A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin.
(1) Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
(2) Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.
(14) Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, will be counted as cursing.
(15) A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome wife are alike;
(16) to restrain her is to restrain the wind or to grasp oil in one’s right hand.
(13) Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.
29(5) A man who flatters his neighbor spreads a net for his feet.
(8) Scoffers set a city aflame, but the wise turn away wrath.
(9) If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet.
29(20) Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
(10) Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you and you be held guilty.
(11) There are those who curse their fathers and do not bless their mothers.
WISE USE OF WORDS
(1) My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, have given your pledge for a stranger,
(2) if you are snared in the words of your mouth, caught in the words of your mouth,
(3) then do this, my son, and save yourself, for you have come into the hand of your neighbor: go, hasten, and plead urgently with your neighbor.
12(17) Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.
12(18) There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
12(19) Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
(25) Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.
13(3) Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
(25) A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful.
(1) A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
(2) The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
15(4) A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
(23) To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!
(10) An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.
16(21) The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
(13) Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right.
16(20) Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
16(24) Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
(1) Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.
(28) Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.
(20) From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.
(1) Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.
(23) Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
22(11) He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend.
(9) Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.
25(9) Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret,
(10) lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your ill repute have no end.
25(11) A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
25(13) Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the soul of his masters.
(15) With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.
26(4) Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him yourself.
(5) Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.
29(6) An evil man is ensnared in his transgression, but a righteous man sings and rejoices.
(8) Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
(9) Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
WISE RESPONSE TO WORDS
12(16) The vexation of a fool is known at once, but the prudent ignores an insult.
(15) The simple believes everything, but the prudent gives thought to his steps.
15(28) The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
(14) The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.
(17) The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.
22(10) Drive out a scoffer, and strife will go out, and quarreling and abuse will cease.
(24) Whoever says to the wicked, “You are in the right,” will be cursed by peoples, abhorred by nations,
(25) but those who rebuke the wicked will have delight, and a good blessing will come upon them.
(26) Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.
25(12) Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
(5) Better is open rebuke than hidden love.
(21) The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise.
28(23) Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue.
(11) A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.
(12) If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.
IMPORTANCE OF LISTENING
(8) The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
(10) Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.
(11) The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
(15) An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
(28) A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure.
WORDS LINKED WITH HEART
(13) On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
(14) The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.
10(20) The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
(21) The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
(31) The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
(32) The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.
12(13) An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
12(14) From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.
13(2) From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
(3) By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them.
(5) A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies.
15(7) The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
16(21) The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
16(23) The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
(7) Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.
(20) A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
(4) The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
(23) The poor use entreaties, but the rich answer roughly.
28(24) Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “That is no transgression,” is a companion to a man who destroys.
WORDS NEED ACTIONS
(23) In all toil there is profit, but mere talk tends only to poverty.
(6) Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?
(4) Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them.
29(19) By mere words a servant is not disciplined, for though he understands, he will not respond.
PRAYER
15(8) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
15(29) The LORD is far from the wicked, but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
(13) Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.
(9) If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.