Ecclesiastes 10:12
10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct.
11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him?
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
- KJV
- The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
- WEB
- The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
- ASV
- The words of a wise man`s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
- DARBY
- The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool swallow up himself.
- BLB
- The words of the mouth of a wise one [are] favor, and the lips of a fool will swallow him up—
- ÅB
- Ord fra den vises munn er liflige, men dårens lepper ødelegger ham selv.
- OTB
- Ord fra den vises munn er nådige, men dårens lepper fortærer ham.
- B1930
- Ord fra den vises munn er liflige, men dårens leber ødelegger ham selv.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Read in contextLuke 4:22
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?
Read in contextProverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
Read in contextProverbs 22:11
He that loveth pureness of heart, for the grace of his lips the king shall be his friend.
Read in contextEphesians 4:29
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
Read in contextProverbs 10:20–21
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
Read in contextProverbs 10:13–14
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
Read in contextProverbs 10:31–32
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
Read in context