EasyEnglish Bible 2018
Proverbs 17:7
7It does not seem right when a fool says clever things. It is certainly not right when a ruler tells lies.
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
5If you laugh at poor people, you are insulting God, who made them. If you are happy when trouble happens to other people, you will receive the punishment that you deserve. 6Old people should be proud of their grandchildren. In the same way, children should be proud of their parents. It does not seem right when a fool says clever things. It is certainly not right when a ruler tells lies. 8Somebody who offers a bribe thinks that it will work like magic. It will help him to do whatever he wants to do. 9If you forgive people when they hurt you, they will still love you. But if you continue to talk about what they have done, they will no longer be your 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 lame person cannot use his legs properly. A fool cannot use a proverb properly.
- Psalms 50:16But God says this to the wicked people: ‘It is useless for you to speak about my commands, or about my covenant.
- Proverbs 16:10A king speaks with God's authority. He must judge people in a fair way.
- Proverbs 29:12When a ruler listens to lies, all his officers will be wicked.
- 2 Samuel 23:3Israel's God has spoken. The one who keeps Israel safe said to me, “A king should rule over people in a way that is right and fair. He should show that he respects and obeys God.
- Job 34:12It is true! Almighty God does not do wicked things. He never refuses to judge people in a fair way.
- Psalms 101:3As for evil things, I will not even think about them. I hate the things that wicked people do. They will not be my friends.
- Proverbs 12:19True words continue to be true for ever. But people quickly see that lies are lies.
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
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