Amplified Bible
Proverbs 12:18
18There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
- New International Version (NIV)The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- English Standard Version (ESV)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- New King James Version (NKJV)There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
Context of Proverbs 12:18
16The [arrogant] fool’s anger is quickly known [because he lacks self-control and common sense], But a prudent man ignores an insult. 17He who speaks truth [when he testifies] tells what is right, But a false witness utters deceit [in court]. There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is [credited] only for a moment. 20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of peace have joy.
Read all of Proverbs 12Proverbs 12:18 word by word
יֵ֣שׁ בּ֭וֹטֶה כְּמַדְקְר֣וֹת חָ֑רֶב וּלְשׁ֖וֹן חֲכָמִ֣ים מַרְפֵּֽא׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 12:18
- Proverbs 25:18Like a club and a sword and a piercing arrow Is a man who testifies falsely against his neighbor (acquaintance).
- Psalms 52:2Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
- Psalms 57:4My life is among lions; I must lie among those who breathe out fire— The sons of men whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.
- Psalms 59:7Look how they belch out [insults] with their mouths; Swords [of sarcasm, ridicule, slander, and lies] are in their lips, For they say, “Who hears us?”
- Psalms 64:3Who have sharpened their tongues like a sword. They aim venomous words as arrows,
- James 3:6And the tongue is [in a sense] a fire, the very world of injustice and unrighteousness; the tongue is set among our members as that which contaminates the entire body, and sets on fire the course of our life [the cycle of man’s existence], and is itself set on fire by hell (Gehenna).
- Revelation 1:16In His right hand He held seven stars, and from His mouth came a sharp two-edged sword [of judgment]; and His face [reflecting His majesty and the Shekinah glory] was like the sun shining in [all] its power [at midday].
- Proverbs 10:20The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued); The heart of the wicked is worth little.
- Proverbs 13:17A wicked messenger falls into hardship, But a faithful ambassador brings healing.
- Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain]; But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.
- Proverbs 16:24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.
- Daniel 11:33They who are wise and have spiritual insight among the people will instruct many and help them understand; yet for many days some [of them and their followers] will fall by the sword and by flame, by captivity and by plunder.
- Revelation 22:2in the middle of its street. On either side of the river was the tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit every month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.
Commentaries on Proverbs 12:18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18There is that speaketh - Instead of בוטה boteh, blabbing out, blustering, several MSS. have בוטח boteach, Trusting: and instead of כמדקרות kemadkeroth, As the piercings, seven MSS., with the Complutensian Polyglot, have במדקרות bemadkeroth, In the piercings. "There is that trusteth in the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." But I suppose the former to be the true reading.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18Verse 18 Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. speaketh--literally, "speaketh hastily," or indiscreetly (Psa 106:33), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives. tongue ... health--by soothing and gentle language.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 12:18
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 12
- 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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