Christian Standard Bible
Ecclesiastes 10:12
12The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
- New International Version (NIV)Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;
Context of Ecclesiastes 10:12
10If the ax is dull, and one does not sharpen its edge, then one must exert more strength; however, the advantage of wisdom is that it brings success. 11If the snake bites before it is charmed, then there is no advantage for the charmer. The words from the mouth of a wise person are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. 13The beginning of the words from his mouth is folly, but the end of his speaking is evil madness; 14yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what will happen, and who can tell anyone what will happen after him?
Read all of Ecclesiastes 10Ecclesiastes 10:12 word by word
דִּבְרֵ֥י פִי־חָכָ֖ם חֵ֑ן וְשִׂפְת֥וֹת כְּסִ֖יל תְּבַלְּעֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:12
- Job 4:3Indeed, you have instructed many and have strengthened weak hands.
- Job 16:5Instead, I would encourage you with my mouth, and the consolation from my lips would bring relief.
- Psalms 37:30The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom; his tongue speaks what is just.
- Psalms 40:9I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; see, I do not keep my mouth closed — as you know, Lord.
- Psalms 71:15My mouth will tell about your righteousness and your salvation all day long, though I cannot sum them up.
- Proverbs 10:13Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.
- Proverbs 12:13By rebellious speech an evil person is trapped, but a righteous person escapes from trouble.
- Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive, but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.
- Proverbs 16:21Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.
- Proverbs 22:17Listen closely, pay attention to the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge.
- Proverbs 25:11A word spoken at the right time is like gold apples in silver settings.
- Proverbs 31:26Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
- Matthew 12:35A good person produces good things from his storeroom of good, and an evil person produces evil things from his storeroom of evil.
- Luke 4:22They were all speaking well of him and were amazed by the gracious words that came from his mouth; yet they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
- Ephesians 4:29No foul language should come from your mouth, but only what is good for building up someone in need, so that it gives grace to those who hear.
- Colossians 4:6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you should answer each person.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12The words of a wise man's mouth - Every thing that proceeds from him is decent and orderly, creditable to himself, and acceptable to those who hear him. But the lips of the fool, which speak every thing at random, and have no understanding to guide them, are not only not pleasant to others, but often destructive to himself.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-15Verses 11-15 There is a practice in the East, of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; and contradiction only makes it the more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself. Would we duly consider our own ignorance as to future events, it would cut off many idle words which we foolishly multiply. Fools…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Fools face ruin from making foolish promises, giving false testimony, and angering the wrong people (see 5:6; Proverbs 17:20; 18:6–7; 19:5, 9).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. gracious--Thereby he takes precaution against sudden injury (Ec 10:11). swallow up himself--(Pr 10:8, 14, 21, 32; 12:13; 15:2; 22:11).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10
- 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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