Proverbs 20:15

Proverbs 20:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
• New International Version (NIV)Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
• English Standard Version (ESV)There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
• New King James Version (NKJV)There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Context of Proverbs 20:15

13Do not love [excessive] sleep, or you will become poor; Open your eyes [so that you can do your work] and you will be satisfied with bread. 14“It is [almost] worthless, it is [almost] worthless,” says the buyer [as he negotiates the price]; But when he goes his way, then he boasts [about his bargain]. There is gold, and an abundance of pearls, But the lips of knowledge are a vessel of preciousness [the most precious of all]. 16[The judge tells the creditor], “Take the clothes of one who is surety for a stranger; And hold him in pledge [when he guarantees a loan] for foreigners.” 17Food gained by deceit is sweet to a man, But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel [just as sin may be sweet at first, but later its consequences bring despair].

Proverbs 20:15 word by word

יֵ֣שׁ זָ֭הָב וְרָב־פְּנִינִ֑ים וּכְלִ֥י יְ֝קָ֗ר שִׂפְתֵי־דָֽעַת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• There isיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• goldזָהָבzâhâb · goldH2091
• and a multitudeרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
• of rubiesפְּנִינִיםpânîyn pânîy · jewelH6443
• but the lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lipsH8193
• of knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
• a preciousיְקָרyeqâr · preciousnessH3366
• jewelכְּלִיkelîy · article/utensilH3627

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:15

• Proverbs 3:15She is more precious than rubies; And nothing you can wish for compares with her [in value].
• Proverbs 8:11For wisdom is better than rubies; And all desirable things cannot compare with her.
• Proverbs 10:20The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued); The heart of the wicked is worth little.
• 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 16:16How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! And to get understanding is to be chosen above silver.
• Proverbs 25:12Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold Is a wise reprover to an ear that listens and learns.
• Job 28:12“But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
• Ecclesiastes 12:9Furthermore, because the Preacher was wise, he still taught the people knowledge; and he pondered and searched out and arranged many proverbs.
• Romans 10:14But how will people call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how will they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher (messenger)?
• 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].

Commentaries on Proverbs 20:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15There is gold - Gold is valuable, silver is valuable, and so are jewels; but the teachings of sound knowledge are more valuable than all.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15A precious jewel - literally, “A vessel of preciousness,” i. e., most precious of all are “the lips of knowledge.”Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15Verse 15 He that prefers true knowledge to riches, follows the ways of religion and happiness. If we really believed this truth, the word of God would be valued as it deserves, and the world would lose its tempting influence.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. The contrast denotes the greater value of knowledge (compare Pr 3:14-16).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 20:15

• Jewels
• Ruby
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Counsel
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Coral

Commentaries on Proverbs 20

• 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