God’s Word Translation
Proverbs 18:21
21The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.
Proverbs 18:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
- New International Version (NIV)The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
Context of Proverbs 18:21
19An offended brother is more ⌞resistant⌟ than a strong city, and disputes are like the locked gate of a castle tower. 20A person’s speaking ability provides for his stomach. His talking provides him a living. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words. 22Whoever finds a wife finds something good and has obtained favor from the Lord. 23A poor person is timid when begging, but a rich person is blunt when replying.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:21 word by word
מָ֣וֶת וְ֭חַיִּים בְּיַד־לָשׁ֑וֹן וְ֝אֹהֲבֶ֗יהָ יֹאכַ֥ל פִּרְיָֽהּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:21
- Proverbs 18:4The words of a person’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.
- Proverbs 10:20The tongue of a righteous person is pure silver. The hearts of wicked people are worthless.
- Proverbs 11:30The fruit of a righteous person is a tree of life, and a winner of souls is wise.
- Matthew 12:35Good people do the good things that are in them. But evil people do the evil things that are in them.
- Romans 10:14But how can people call on him if they have not believed in him? How can they believe in him if they have not heard his message? How can they hear if no one tells ⌞the Good News⌟?
- 2 Corinthians 2:16To some people we are a deadly fragrance, while to others we are a life-giving fragrance. Who is qualified to tell about Christ?
- 2 Corinthians 11:15So it’s not surprising if his servants also disguise themselves as servants who have God’s approval. In the end they will get what they deserve.
- Ephesians 4:29Don’t say anything that would hurt ⌞another person⌟. Instead, speak only what is good so that you can give help wherever it is needed. That way, what you say will help those who hear you.
- Colossians 4:6Everything you say should be kind and well thought out so that you know how to answer everyone.
- 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.
- 2 Peter 2:18They arrogantly use nonsense to seduce people by appealing to their sexual desires, especially to sexual freedom. They seduce people who have just escaped from those who live in error.
- Proverbs 10:9Whoever lives honestly will live securely, but whoever lives dishonestly will be found out.
- Ecclesiastes 10:12A wise person’s words win favors, but a fool’s lips are self-destructive.
- Isaiah 57:19I’ll create praise on their lips: “Perfect peace to those both far and near.” “I’ll heal them,” says the Lord.
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue - This may apply to all men. Many have lost their lives by their tongue, and some have saved their lives by it: but it applies most forcibly to public pleaders; on many of their tongues hangs life or death.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21Verse 21 Many a one has caused his own death, or the death of others, by a false or injurious tongue.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21Life and death: Wise people speak thoughtfully (Proverbs 10:19; 11:12; 12:23) because they know words have consequences (13:3; 14:3).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. Death and life--or, the greatest evil and good. that love it--that is, the tongue, or its use for good or evil. eat ... fruit--(Compare Pr 18:19; Jas 1:19).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 18
- 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