English Standard Version
Proverbs 13:3
3Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
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.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
Context of Proverbs 13:3
1A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 4The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied. 5The righteous hates falsehood, but the wicked brings shame and disgrace.
Read all of Proverbs 13Proverbs 13:3 word by word
נֹצֵ֣ר פִּ֭יו שֹׁמֵ֣ר נַפְשׁ֑וֹ פֹּשֵׂ֥ק שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו מְחִתָּה־לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 13:3
- Proverbs 12:13An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
- Proverbs 21:23Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
- Psalms 39:1I said, "I will guard my ways, that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle, so long as the wicked are in my presence."
- Matthew 12:36I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak,
- James 1:26If anyone thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person's religion is worthless.
- James 3:2For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
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
In the dictionaries
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
English Standard Version — © 2001 Crossway Bibles
Commentaries