God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 17:7
7Refined speech is not fitting for a godless fool. How much less does lying fit a noble person!
Proverbs 17:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
- New International Version (NIV)Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
- English Standard Version (ESV)Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.
Context of Proverbs 17:7
5Whoever makes fun of a poor person insults his maker. Whoever is happy ⌞to see someone’s⌟ distress will not escape punishment. 6Grandchildren are the crown of grandparents, and parents are the glory of their children. Refined speech is not fitting for a godless fool. How much less does lying fit a noble person! 8A bribe seems ⌞like⌟ a jewel to the one who gives it. Wherever he turns, he prospers. 9Whoever forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever keeps bringing up the issue separates the closest of friends.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:7 word by word
לֹא־נָאוָ֣ה לְנָבָ֣ל שְׂפַת־יֶ֑תֶר אַ֝֗ף כִּֽי־לְנָדִ֥יב שְׂפַת־שָֽׁקֶר׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:7
- Proverbs 26:7⌞Like⌟ a lame person’s limp legs, so is a proverb in the mouths of fools.
- Psalms 50:16But God says to wicked people, “How dare you quote my decrees and mouth my promises!
- Proverbs 16:10When a divine revelation is on a king’s lips, he cannot voice a wrong judgment.
- Proverbs 29:12If a ruler pays attention to lies, all his servants become wicked.
- 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel spoke to them. The rock of Israel told me, ‘The one who rules humans with justice rules with the fear of God.
- Job 34:12Certainly, God will never do anything evil, and the Almighty will never pervert justice.
- Psalms 101:3I will not put anything wicked in front of my eyes. I hate what unfaithful people do. I want no part of it.
- Proverbs 12:19The word of truth lasts forever, but lies last only a moment.
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:7
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 7Excellent speech becometh not a fool - This proverb is suitable to those who affect, in public speaking, fine language, which neither comports with their ordinary conversation, nor with their education. Often fine words are injudiciously brought in, and are as unbecoming and irrelevant as a cart wheel among clockwork.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 7The margin renderings are more literal and give greater emphasis. What is pointed out is not the unfitness of lying lips for the princely-hearted, but the necessity of harmony, in each case, between character and speech.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 7Verse 7 A fool, in Solomon's Proverbs, signifies a wicked man, whom excellent speech does not become, because his conversation contradicts it.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 77. Excellent speech--(Compare Margin). Such language as ill suits a fool, as lying (ought to suit) a prince (Pr 16:12, 13).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:7
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 17
- 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