Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 17:7
7Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips; how much worse are lies for a ruler.
Proverbs 17:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
- New International Version (NIV)Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
- English Standard Version (ESV)Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.
Context of Proverbs 17:7
5The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker, and one who rejoices over calamity will not go unpunished. 6Grandchildren are the crown of the elderly, and the pride of children is their fathers. Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips; how much worse are lies for a ruler. 8A bribe seems like a magic stone to its owner; wherever he turns, he succeeds. 9Whoever conceals an offense promotes love, but whoever gossips about it separates friends.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:7 word by word
לֹא־נָאוָ֣ה לְנָבָ֣ל שְׂפַת־יֶ֑תֶר אַ֝֗ף כִּֽי־לְנָדִ֥יב שְׂפַת־שָֽׁקֶר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:7
- Proverbs 26:7A proverb in the mouth of a fool is like lame legs that hang limp.
- Psalms 50:16But God says to the wicked: “What right do you have to recite my statutes and to take my covenant on your lips?
- Proverbs 16:10God’s verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.
- Proverbs 29:12If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
- 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, “The one who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,
- Job 34:12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
- Psalms 101:3I will not let anything worthless guide me. I hate the practice of transgression; it will not cling to me.
- Proverbs 12:19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment.
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7Excellent speech becometh not a fool - This proverb is suitable to those who affect, in public speaking, fine language, which neither comports with their ordinary conversation, nor with their education. Often fine words are injudiciously brought in, and are as unbecoming and irrelevant as a cart wheel among clockwork.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7The margin renderings are more literal and give greater emphasis. What is pointed out is not the unfitness of lying lips for the princely-hearted, but the necessity of harmony, in each case, between character and speech.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7Verse 7 A fool, in Solomon's Proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation contradicts it.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. Excellent speech--(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince (Pr 16:12, 13).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:7
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 17
- 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
Christian Standard Bible — © 2017 Holman Bible Publishers
Commentaries