English Standard Version
Proverbs 10:11
11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Proverbs 10:11 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
- New International Version (NIV)The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
Context of Proverbs 10:11
9Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out. 10Whoever winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will come to ruin. The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. 13On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
Read all of Proverbs 10Proverbs 10:11 word by word
מְק֣וֹר חַ֭יִּים פִּ֣י צַדִּ֑יק וּפִ֥י רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים יְכַסֶּ֥ה חָמָֽס׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 10:11
- Proverbs 10:20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.
- Proverbs 13:14The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
- Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools.
- Proverbs 16:22Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
- Proverbs 18:4The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
- Proverbs 20:15There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
- Psalms 37:30The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
- Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.
- Psalms 107:42The upright see it and are glad, and all wickedness shuts its mouth.
- Ecclesiastes 10:12The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
- Matthew 12:34You brood of vipers! How can you speak good, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
- James 3:5So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
Commentaries on Proverbs 10:11
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 11The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life - חיים מקור mekor chaiyim, is the vein of lives; an allusion to the great aorta, which conveys the blood from the heart to every art of the body. The latter clause of this verse is the same with that of Proverbs 10:6.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 11Compare Proverbs 10:6. Streams of living water (like the “fountain of living waters” of Jeremiah 2:13; Jeremiah 17:13, and the “living water” of John 4:10), flow from the mouth of the righteous, but that of the wicked is “covered,” i. e., stopped and put to silence by their own violence.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11Verse 11 The good man's mouth is always open to teach, comfort, and correct others.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 11Like a fountain gives water to support life, the words of good people give life to listeners. In contrast, the hidden violent intentions in the words of bad people lead to death (see also Proverbs 10:6; James 3:1–12).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1111. a well--or, "source" of good to himself and others (Joh 7:37, 38). On last clause, see on Pr 10:6.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 10:11
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 10
- 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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries