Amplified Bible
Proverbs 13:3
3The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life; The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
- New International Version (NIV)Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
Context of Proverbs 13:3
1A wise son heeds and accepts [and is the result of] his father’s discipline and instruction, But a scoffer does not listen to reprimand and does not learn from his errors. 2From the fruit of his mouth a [wise] man enjoys good, But the desire of the treacherous is for violence. The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life; The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin. 4The soul (appetite) of the lazy person craves and gets nothing [for lethargy overcomes ambition], But the soul (appetite) of the diligent [who works willingly] is rich and abundantly supplied. 5A righteous man hates lies, But a wicked man is loathsome, and he acts shamefully.
Read all of Proverbs 13Proverbs 13:3 word by word
נֹצֵ֣ר פִּ֭יו שֹׁמֵ֣ר נַפְשׁ֑וֹ פֹּשֵׂ֥ק שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו מְחִתָּה־לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 13:3
- Proverbs 12:13An evil man is [dangerously] ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will escape from trouble.
- Proverbs 21:23He who guards his mouth and his tongue Guards himself from troubles.
- Psalms 39:1I said, “I will guard my ways That I may not sin with my tongue; I will muzzle my mouth While the wicked are in my presence.”
- Matthew 12:36But I tell you, on the day of judgment people will have to give an accounting for every careless or useless word they speak.
- James 1:26If anyone thinks himself to be religious [scrupulously observant of the rituals of his faith], and does not control his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person’s religion is worthless (futile, barren).
- James 3:2For we all stumble and sin in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says [never saying the wrong thing], he is a perfect man [fully developed in character, without serious flaws], able to bridle his whole body and rein in his entire nature [taming his human faults and weaknesses].
Commentaries on Proverbs 13:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life - How often have the foolish, headstrong, and wicked, forfeited their lives by the treasonable or blasphemous words they have spoken! The government of the tongue is a rare but useful talent. But he that openeth wide his lips - He that puts no bounds to his loquacity, speaks on every subject, and gives his judgment and opinion on every matter. It has often been remarked that God has, given us two Eyes, that we…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3Verse 3 He that thinks before he speaks, that suppresses evil if he have thought it, keeps his soul from a great deal both of guilt and grief. Many a one is ruined by an ungoverned tongue.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3Controlling what you say shows wisdom (see James 3:1–12).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. He ... mouth ... life--because evil speeches may provoke violence from others. he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction--On last clause, compare Pr 10:14.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 13:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 13
- 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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