Proverbs 12:18
16 A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil: but to the counsellors of peace is joy.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- KJV
- There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
- WEB
- There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.
- ASV
- There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.
- DARBY
- There is that babbleth like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health.
- BLB
- There is one speaking rashly like the thrusts of a sword, and the tongue of the wise ones [is] healing.
- ÅB
- Mange taler tankeløse ord, som stikker slik som sverd; men de vises tunge er legedom.
- OTB
- Hastige ord gjennomborer som sverd, men de vises tunge bringer helbredelse.
- B1930
- Mange taler tankeløse ord, som stikker likesom sverd; men de vises tunge er lægedom.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
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 10:20–21
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
Read in contextPsalms 57:4
My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
Read in contextJames 3:6–8
And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
Read in contextPsalms 52:2
Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
Read in contextProverbs 25:18
A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow.
Read in contextProverbs 15:7
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
Read in context