God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 10:21
21The lips of a righteous person feed many, but stubborn fools die because they have no sense.
Proverbs 10:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
- New International Version (NIV)The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.
Context of Proverbs 10:21
19Sin is unavoidable when there is much talk, but whoever seals his lips is wise. 20The tongue of a righteous person is pure silver. The hearts of wicked people are worthless. The lips of a righteous person feed many, but stubborn fools die because they have no sense. 22It is the Lord’s blessing that makes a person rich, and hard work adds nothing to it. 23Like the laughter of a fool when he carries out an evil plan, so is wisdom to a person who has understanding.
Read all of Proverbs 10Proverbs 10:21 word by word
שִׂפְתֵ֣י צַ֭דִּיק יִרְע֣וּ רַבִּ֑ים וֶֽ֝אֱוִילִ֗ים בַּחֲסַר־לֵ֥ב יָמֽוּתוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 10:21
- Proverbs 12:18Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing.
- Proverbs 15:4A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a deceitful tongue breaks the spirit.
- Job 4:3Certainly, you have instructed many people: When hands were weak, you made them strong.
- Job 23:12I have not left his commands behind. I have treasured his words in my heart.
- Job 29:21“People listened to me eagerly, quietly waiting for my advice.
- Psalms 37:30The mouth of the righteous person reflects on wisdom. His tongue speaks what is fair.
- Ecclesiastes 12:9Besides being wise, the spokesman also taught the people what he knew. He very carefully thought about it, studied it, and arranged it in many proverbs.
- Jeremiah 3:15I will give you shepherds after my own heart. They will be shepherds who feed you with knowledge and insight.
- Jeremiah 15:16Your words were found, and I devoured them. Your words are my joy and my heart’s delight, because I am called by your name, O Lord God of Armies.
- John 21:15After they had eaten breakfast, Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than the other disciples do?” Peter answered him, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.”
- 1 Peter 5:2Be shepherds over the flock God has entrusted to you. Watch over it as God does: Don’t do this because you have to, but because you want to. Don’t do it out of greed, but out of a desire to serve.
- Proverbs 1:29because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord.
- Proverbs 5:12“Oh, how I hated discipline! How my heart despised correction!
- Hosea 4:6I will destroy my people because they are ignorant. You have refused to learn, so I will refuse to let you be my priests. You have forgotten the teachings of your God, so I will forget your children.
- Matthew 13:19Someone hears the word about the kingdom but doesn’t understand it. The evil one comes at once and snatches away what was planted in him. This is what the seed planted along the road illustrates.
- John 3:19This is why people are condemned: The light came into the world. Yet, people loved the dark rather than the light because their actions were evil.
Commentaries on Proverbs 10:21
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Feed - The Hebrew word, like ́ poimainein includes the idea of guiding as well as nourishing; doing a shepherd‘s work in both. For want of wisdom - Some prefer, through him who wanteth understanding, referring to a person. The wise guides others to safety; the fool, empty-headed, and empty-hearted, involves others like himself in destruction.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-21Verses 20-21 The tongue of the just is sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy. Fools die for want of a heart, so the word is; for want of thought.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. Fools not only fail to benefit others, as do the righteous, but procure their own ruin (compare Pr 10:11, 17; Ho 4:6).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 10:21
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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