Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 12:18
18There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
- New International Version (NIV)The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- English Standard Version (ESV)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- New King James Version (NKJV)There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
Context of Proverbs 12:18
16A fool’s displeasure is known at once, but whoever ignores an insult is sensible. 17Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment. 20Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
Read all of Proverbs 12Proverbs 12:18 word by word
יֵ֣שׁ בּ֭וֹטֶה כְּמַדְקְר֣וֹת חָ֑רֶב וּלְשׁ֖וֹן חֲכָמִ֣ים מַרְפֵּֽא׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 12:18
- Proverbs 25:18A person giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
- Psalms 52:2Like a sharpened razor, your tongue devises destruction, working treachery.
- Psalms 57:4I am surrounded by lions; I lie down among devouring lions — people whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
- Psalms 59:7Look, they spew from their mouths — sharp words from their lips. “For who,” they say, “will hear?”
- Psalms 64:3who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim bitter words like arrows,
- James 3:6And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
- Revelation 1:16He had seven stars in his right hand; a sharp double-edged sword came from his mouth, and his face was shining like the sun at full strength.
- Proverbs 10:20The tongue of the righteous is pure silver; the heart of the wicked is of little value.
- Proverbs 13:17A wicked envoy falls into trouble, but a trustworthy courier brings healing.
- Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.
- Proverbs 16:24Pleasant words are a honeycomb: sweet to the taste and health to the body.
- Daniel 11:33Those who have insight among the people will give understanding to many, yet they will fall by the sword and flame, and they will be captured and plundered for a time.
- Revelation 22:2down the middle of the city’s main street. The tree of life was on each side of the river, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, producing its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree are for healing the nations,
Commentaries on Proverbs 12:18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18There is that speaketh - Instead of בוטה boteh, blabbing out, blustering, several MSS. have בוטח boteach, Trusting: and instead of כמדקרות kemadkeroth, As the piercings, seven MSS., with the Complutensian Polyglot, have במדקרות bemadkeroth, In the piercings. "There is that trusteth in the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." But I suppose the former to be the true reading.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18Verse 18 Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. speaketh--literally, "speaketh hastily," or indiscreetly (Psa 106:33), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives. tongue ... health--by soothing and gentle language.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 12:18
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 12
- 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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