God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 13:3
3Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life. Whoever has a big mouth 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.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes 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.
Context of Proverbs 13:3
1A wise son listens to his father’s discipline, but a mocker does not listen to reprimands. 2A person eats well as a result of his speaking ability, but the appetite of treacherous people ⌞craves⌟ violence. Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life. Whoever has a big mouth comes to ruin. 4A lazy person craves food and there is none, but the appetite of hard-working people is satisfied. 5A righteous person hates lying, but a wicked person behaves with 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 person is trapped by his own sinful talk, but a righteous person escapes from trouble.
- Proverbs 21:23Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
- Psalms 39:1I said, “I will watch my ways so that I do not sin with my tongue. I will bridle my mouth while wicked people are in my presence.”
- Matthew 12:36“I can guarantee that on judgment day people will have to give an account of every careless word they say.
- James 1:26If a person thinks that he is religious but can’t control his tongue, he is fooling himself. That person’s religion is worthless.
- James 3:2All of us make a lot of mistakes. If someone doesn’t make any mistakes when he speaks, he would be perfect. He would be able to control everything he does.
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
God’s Word Translation — © 1995 God’s Word to the Nations Bible Society
Commentaries