Amplified Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:12
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious and win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him;
Ecclesiastes 10:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
- New International Version (NIV)Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;
Context of Ecclesiastes 10:12
10If the axe is dull and he does not sharpen its edge, then he must exert more strength; but wisdom [to sharpen the axe] helps him succeed [with less effort]. 11If the serpent bites before being charmed, then there is no profit for the charmer. The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious and win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him; 13the beginning of his talking is foolishness and the end of his talk is wicked madness. 14Yet the fool multiplies words, though no man knows what will happen, and who can tell him what will come after he is gone?
Read all of Ecclesiastes 10Ecclesiastes 10:12 word by word
דִּבְרֵ֥י פִי־חָכָ֖ם חֵ֑ן וְשִׂפְת֥וֹת כְּסִ֖יל תְּבַלְּעֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:12
- Job 4:3Behold, you have admonished and instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands.
- Job 16:5[But instead] I could strengthen and encourage you with [the words of] my mouth, And the consolation and solace of my lips would soothe your suffering and lessen your anguish.
- Psalms 37:30The mouth of the righteous proclaims wisdom, And his tongue speaks justice and truth.
- Psalms 40:9I have proclaimed good news of righteousness [and the joy that comes from obedience to You] in the great assembly; Behold, I will not restrain my lips [from proclaiming Your righteousness], As You know, O Lord.
- Psalms 71:15My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And of Your [deeds of] salvation all day long, For their number is more than I know.
- Proverbs 10:13On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found, But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.
- Proverbs 12:13An evil man is [dangerously] ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will escape from trouble.
- Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable, But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.
- Proverbs 16:21The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].
- Proverbs 22:17Listen carefully and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge;
- Proverbs 25:11Like apples of gold in settings of silver Is a word spoken at the right time.
- Proverbs 31:26She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].
- Matthew 12:35The good man, from his [inner] good treasure, brings out good things; and the evil man, from his [inner] evil treasure, brings out evil things.
- Luke 4:22And [as He continued on] they all were speaking well of Him, and were in awe and were wondering about the words of grace which were coming from His lips; and they were saying, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
- Ephesians 4:29Do not let unwholesome [foul, profane, worthless, vulgar] words ever come out of your mouth, but only such speech as is good for building up others, according to the need and the occasion, so that it will be a blessing to those who hear [you speak].
- Colossians 4:6Let your speech at all times be gracious and pleasant, seasoned with salt, so that you will know how to answer each one [who questions you].
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12The words of a wise man's mouth - Every thing that proceeds from him is decent and orderly, creditable to himself, and acceptable to those who hear him. But the lips of the fool, which speak every thing at random, and have no understanding to guide them, are not only not pleasant to others, but often destructive to himself.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-15Verses 11-15 There is a practice in the East, of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; and contradiction only makes it the more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself. Would we duly consider our own ignorance as to future events, it would cut off many idle words which we foolishly multiply. Fools…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Fools face ruin from making foolish promises, giving false testimony, and angering the wrong people (see 5:6; Proverbs 17:20; 18:6–7; 19:5, 9).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. gracious--Thereby he takes precaution against sudden injury (Ec 10:11). swallow up himself--(Pr 10:8, 14, 21, 32; 12:13; 15:2; 22:11).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
- Tyndale Open Study Notes
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
- Rashi on Tanakh
- Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
- John Wesley’s Notes
- Darby Translation Notes
- Geneva Bible Translation Notes
- Kingcomments
- Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
- Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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