Proverbs 13:3

Proverbs 13:3 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
• New International Version (NIV)Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
• New King James Version (NKJV)He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

Context of Proverbs 13:3

1A wise son [heareth] his father's instruction; but a scorner heareth not rebuke. 2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; but the soul of the treacherous, violence. He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his soul; destruction shall be to him that openeth wide his lips. 4A sluggard's soul desireth and hath nothing; but the soul of the diligent shall be made fat. 5A righteous [man] hateth lying; but the wicked maketh himself odious and cometh to shame.

Proverbs 13:3 word by word

נֹצֵ֣ר פִּ֭יו שֹׁמֵ֣ר נַפְשׁ֑וֹ פֹּשֵׂ֥ק שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו מְחִתָּה־לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear

• mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soulH5315
• lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lipsH8193

Cross-references for Proverbs 13:3

• Proverbs 12:13In the transgression of the lips is an evil snare; but a righteous [man] shall go forth out of trouble.
• Proverbs 21:23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
• Psalms 39:1I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a muzzle, while the wicked is before me.
• Matthew 12:36But I say unto you, that every idle word which men shall say, they shall render an account of it in judgment-day:
• James 1:26If any one think himself to be religious, not bridling his tongue, but deceiving his heart, this man's religion is vain.
• James 3:2For we all often offend. If any one offend not in word, he [is] a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body too.

Commentaries on Proverbs 13:3

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life - How often have the foolish, headstrong, and wicked, forfeited their lives by the treasonable or blasphemous words they have spoken! The government of the tongue is a rare but useful talent. But he that openeth wide his lips - He that puts no bounds to his loquacity, speaks on every subject, and gives his judgment and opinion on every matter. It has often been remarked that God has, given us two Eyes, that we…Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3Verse 3 He that thinks before he speaks, that suppresses evil if he have thought it, keeps his soul from a great deal both of guilt and grief. Many a one is ruined by an ungoverned tongue.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3Controlling what you say shows wisdom (see James 3:1–12).Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. He ... mouth ... life--because evil speeches may provoke violence from others. he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction--On last clause, compare Pr 10:14.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 13:3

• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Accomplish
• Advised
• Companion
• Defer
• Folly
• Hate
• Poetry
• Transgressor
• Wise
• Proverb

Commentaries on Proverbs 13

• 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