Berean Standard Bible
Proverbs 18:21
21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
- New International Version (NIV)The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Context of Proverbs 18:21
19An offended brother is harder to win than a fortified city, and disputes are like the bars of a castle. 20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD. 23The poor man pleads for mercy, but the rich man answers harshly.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:21 word by word
מָ֣וֶת וְ֭חַיִּים בְּיַד־לָשׁ֑וֹן וְ֝אֹהֲבֶ֗יהָ יֹאכַ֥ל פִּרְיָֽהּ׃Read the interlinear
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:21
- Proverbs 18:4The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
- Proverbs 10:20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.
- Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.
- Matthew 12:35The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.
- Romans 10:14How then can they call on the One in whom they have not believed? And how can they believe in the One of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone to preach?
- 2 Corinthians 2:16To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?
- 2 Corinthians 11:15It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will correspond to their actions.
- Ephesians 4:29Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.
- Colossians 4:6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
- James 3:6The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
- 2 Peter 2:18With lofty but empty words, they appeal to the sensual passions of the flesh and entice those who are just escaping from others who live in error.
- Proverbs 10:9He who walks in integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
- Ecclesiastes 10:12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
- Isaiah 57:19bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.”
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue - This may apply to all men. Many have lost their lives by their tongue, and some have saved their lives by it: but it applies most forcibly to public pleaders; on many of their tongues hangs life or death.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21Verse 21 Many a one has caused his own death, or the death of others, by a false or injurious tongue.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21Life and death: Wise people speak thoughtfully (Proverbs 10:19; 11:12; 12:23) because they know words have consequences (13:3; 14:3).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. Death and life--or, the greatest evil and good. that love it--that is, the tongue, or its use for good or evil. eat ... fruit--(Compare Pr 18:19; Jas 1:19).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 18
- 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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