Proverbs 10:21
19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
20 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
22 The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it.
23 It is as sport to a fool to do mischief: but a man of understanding hath wisdom.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment.
- KJV
- The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
- WEB
- The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.
- ASV
- The lips of the righteous feed many; But the foolish die for lack of understanding.
- DARBY
- The lips of a righteous [man] feed many; but fools die for want of understanding.
- BLB
- The lips of the righteous feed many, and fools die by lack of heart.
- ÅB
- Den rettferdiges lepper nærer mange, men dårer dør, fordi de er uten forstand.
- OTB
- De rettferdiges lepper gir næring til mange, men de som mangler fornuft går til grunne.
- B1930
- Den rettferdiges leber nærer mange, men dårer dør, fordi de er uten forstand.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
Read in contextProverbs 17:16
Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?
Read in contextMatthew 13:19
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
Read in contextProverbs 1:29
For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
Read in contextJob 4:3–4
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
Read in contextEcclesiastes 12:9–10
And moreover, because the preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; yea, he gave good heed, and sought out, and set in order many proverbs.
Read in contextProverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
Read in contextProverbs 5:12
And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
Read in context