God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 12:18
18Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing.
Proverbs 12:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
- New International Version (NIV)The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- English Standard Version (ESV)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- New King James Version (NKJV)There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
Context of Proverbs 12:18
16When a stubborn fool is irritated, he shows it immediately, but a sensible person hides the insult. 17A truthful witness speaks honestly, but a lying witness speaks deceitfully. Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing. 19The word of truth lasts forever, but lies last only a moment. 20Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil, but joy belongs to those who advise peace.
Read all of Proverbs 12Proverbs 12:18 word by word
יֵ֣שׁ בּ֭וֹטֶה כְּמַדְקְר֣וֹת חָ֑רֶב וּלְשׁ֖וֹן חֲכָמִ֣ים מַרְפֵּֽא׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 12:18
- Proverbs 25:18⌞Like⌟ a club and a sword and a sharp arrow, ⌞so⌟ is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor.
- Psalms 52:2Your tongue makes up threats. It’s like a sharp razor, you master of deceit.
- Psalms 57:4My soul is surrounded by lions. I must lie down with man-eating lions. Their teeth are spears and arrows. Their tongues are sharp swords.
- Psalms 59:7See what pours out of their mouths— swords from their lips! ⌞They think,⌟ “Who will hear us?”
- Psalms 64:3They sharpen their tongues like swords. They aim bitter words like arrows
- James 3:6The tongue is that kind of flame. It is a world of evil among the parts of our bodies, and it completely contaminates our bodies. The tongue sets our lives on fire, and is itself set on fire from hell.
- Revelation 1:16In his right hand he held seven stars, and out of his mouth came a sharp, two-edged sword. His face was like the sun when it shines in all its brightness.
- Proverbs 10:20The tongue of a righteous person is pure silver. The hearts of wicked people are worthless.
- Proverbs 13:17An undependable messenger gets into trouble, but a dependable envoy brings healing.
- Proverbs 15:7The lips of wise people spread knowledge, but a foolish attitude does not.
- Proverbs 16:24Pleasant words are ⌞like⌟ honey from a honeycomb— sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body.
- Daniel 11:33“People who are wise will help many to understand. But for some time they will be defeated by swords and flames. They will be captured and looted.
- Revelation 22:2Between the street of the city and the river there was a tree of life visible from both sides. It produced 12 kinds of fruit. Each month had its own fruit. The leaves of the tree will heal the nations.
Commentaries on Proverbs 12:18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18There is that speaketh - Instead of בוטה boteh, blabbing out, blustering, several MSS. have בוטח boteach, Trusting: and instead of כמדקרות kemadkeroth, As the piercings, seven MSS., with the Complutensian Polyglot, have במדקרות bemadkeroth, In the piercings. "There is that trusteth in the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." But I suppose the former to be the true reading.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18Verse 18 Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. speaketh--literally, "speaketh hastily," or indiscreetly (Psa 106:33), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives. tongue ... health--by soothing and gentle language.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 12:18
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 12
- 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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
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