Proverbs 15:2

Proverbs 15:2 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
• New International Version (NIV)The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

Context of Proverbs 15:2

1If you answer people in a kind way, it stops them being angry. But if you say cruel things, it makes people angry. When wise people speak, they show that knowledge is good. But when fools speak, they only say foolish things. 3The Lord sees what happens everywhere. He is watching what evil people do, and good people too. 4Kind words are like the fruit of a tree that gives life. But words that are not honest make people sad and weak.

Proverbs 15:2 word by word

לְשׁ֣וֹן חֲ֭כָמִים תֵּיטִ֣יב דָּ֑עַת וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יַבִּ֥יעַ אִוֶּֽלֶת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
• of the wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• useth knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
• arightיָטַבyâţab · be goodH3190
• but the mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• of foolsכְּסִילkesîyl · foolH3684
• poureth outנָבַעnâba‛ · to bubbleH5042
• foolishnessאִוֶּ֫לֶת'ivveleth · follyH200

Cross-references for Proverbs 15:2

• Proverbs 15:23It makes you happy when you give a good answer to a question. It is good when you find the right thing to say at the right time.
• Proverbs 12:23Careful people keep quiet about how much they know. But foolish people show everyone how silly they are.
• Proverbs 13:16Careful people need to understand what they are doing. But a fool quickly shows how foolish he is.
• Proverbs 16:23Wise people think carefully and they speak wise words. Then other people will accept their teaching.
• Proverbs 25:11A wise word that you speak at the right time is a beautiful thing. It is like a gold apple on a silver plate.
• Psalms 45:1This beautiful song makes my heart very happy. I will sing this special poem to the king. My voice is ready to sing it very well, as well as a clever writer can write with a pen.
• Ecclesiastes 10:12People respect a wise person, because of the things that he says. But the words of a fool will destroy him.
• Psalms 59:7They shout evil things, and their words hurt like swords. They think, ‘Nobody can hear what we say!’

Commentaries on Proverbs 15:2

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 2Useth knowledge aright - This is very difficult to know: - when to speak, and when to be silent; what to speak, and what to leave unspoken; the manner that is best and most suitable to the occasion, the subject, the circumstances, and the persons. All these are difficulties, often even to the wisest men. Even wise counsel may be foolishly given.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 2Useth knowledge aright - Rather, makes knowledge goodly. The power of well-considered speech to commend true wisdom, is contrasted with the pouring (literally as in the margin) forth of folly.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 2Verse 2 He that has knowledge, is to use it aright, for the good of others.Read the comment
• Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 2A wise teacher presents lessons in an engaging way. Rude behavior describes the poor teaching of a fool.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 22. useth ... aright--commends knowledge by its proper use. poureth out--utters abundantly (Pr 12:23), and so disgusts others.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 15:2

• Speaking
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Abomination
• Cheerful
• Continual
• Countenance
• Disappoint
• Disperse
• Feast
• Grievous
• Humility
• Poetry

Commentaries on Proverbs 15

• 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
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings