Amplified Bible
Proverbs 15:4
4A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life, But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.
Proverbs 15:4 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
- New International Version (NIV)The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
- English Standard Version (ESV)A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
- New King James Version (NKJV)A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Context of Proverbs 15:4
2The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable, But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly. 3The eyes of the Lord are in every place, Watching the evil and the good [in all their endeavors]. A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life, But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit. 5A [flippant, arrogant] fool rejects his father’s instruction and correction, But he who [is willing to learn and] regards and keeps in mind a reprimand acquires good sense. 6Great and priceless treasure is in the house of the [consistently] righteous one [who seeks godly instruction and grows in wisdom], But trouble is in the income of the wicked one [who rejects the laws of God].
Read all of Proverbs 15Proverbs 15:4 word by word
מַרְפֵּ֣א לָ֭שׁוֹן עֵ֣ץ חַיִּ֑ים וְסֶ֥לֶף בָּ֝֗הּ שֶׁ֣בֶר בְּרֽוּחַ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 15:4
- Proverbs 12:18There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- Proverbs 16:24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.
- Malachi 4:2But for you who fear My name [with awe-filled reverence] the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go forward and leap [joyfully] like calves [released] from the stall.
- Proverbs 3:18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.
- Genesis 3:22And the Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of Us (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), knowing [how to distinguish between] good and evil; and now, he might stretch out his hand, and take from the tree of life as well, and eat [its fruit], and live [in this fallen, sinful condition] forever”—
- 1 Timothy 6:3If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine and teaching which is in agreement with godliness (personal integrity, upright behavior),
- Revelation 2:7He who has an ear, let him hear and heed what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes [the world through believing that Jesus is the Son of God], I will grant [the privilege] to eat [the fruit] from the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God.’
- Proverbs 18:8The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten]; They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].
- Proverbs 26:22The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten]; They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].
- Psalms 52:2Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
- Psalms 109:22For I am suffering and needy, And my heart is wounded within me.
Commentaries on Proverbs 15:4
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 4A wholesome tongue is a tree of life - Here again is an allusion to the paradisiacal tree, חיים עץ ets chaiyim, "the tree of lives."Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 4A wholesome tongue - literally, as in the margin, the same word as “sound” in Proverbs 14:30 (see the note). A more literal rendering would be soundness of speech. Tree of life - Compare Proverbs 3:18 note. Breach in the spirit - With the sense of vexation (compare Isaiah 65:14).Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 4Verse 4 A good tongue is healing to wounded consciences, by comforting them; to sin-sick souls, by convincing them; and it reconciles parties at variance.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 44. A wholesome tongue--(Compare Margin), pacifying and soothing language. tree of life--(Pr 3:18; 11:30). perverseness therein--cross, ill-natured language. breach ... spirit--(compare Is 65:14, Hebrew), grieves, instead of appeasing.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 15:4
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 15
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
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