Proverbs 20:15

Proverbs 20:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
• New International Version (NIV)Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
• English Standard Version (ESV)There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
• New King James Version (NKJV)There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Context of Proverbs 20:15

13Do not love sleep or you will end up poor. Keep your eyes open, and you will have plenty to eat. 14“Bad! Bad!” says the buyer. Then, as he goes away, he brags ⌞about his bargain⌟. There are gold and plenty of jewels, but the lips of knowledge are precious gems. 16Hold on to the garment of one who guarantees a stranger’s loan, and hold responsible the person who makes a loan on behalf of a foreigner. 17Food gained dishonestly tastes sweet to a person, but afterwards his mouth will be filled with gravel.

Proverbs 20:15 word by word

יֵ֣שׁ זָ֭הָב וְרָב־פְּנִינִ֑ים וּכְלִ֥י יְ֝קָ֗ר שִׂפְתֵי־דָֽעַת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• There isיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• goldזָהָבzâhâb · goldH2091
• and a multitudeרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
• of rubiesפְּנִינִיםpânîyn pânîy · jewelH6443
• but the lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lipsH8193
• of knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
• a preciousיְקָרyeqâr · preciousnessH3366
• jewelכְּלִיkelîy · article/utensilH3627

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:15

• Proverbs 3:15⌞Wisdom⌟ is more precious than jewels, and all your desires cannot equal it.
• Proverbs 8:11because wisdom is better than jewels. Nothing you desire can equal it.
• Proverbs 10:20The tongue of a righteous person is pure silver. The hearts of wicked people are worthless.
• Proverbs 15:7The lips of wise people spread knowledge, but a foolish attitude does not.
• Proverbs 16:16How much better it is to gain wisdom than gold, and the gaining of understanding should be chosen over silver.
• Proverbs 25:12⌞Like⌟ a gold ring and a fine gold ornament, ⌞so⌟ is constructive criticism to the ear of one who listens.
• Job 28:12“Where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding live?
• 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.
• 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⌟?
• 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.

Commentaries on Proverbs 20:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15There is gold - Gold is valuable, silver is valuable, and so are jewels; but the teachings of sound knowledge are more valuable than all.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15A precious jewel - literally, “A vessel of preciousness,” i. e., most precious of all are “the lips of knowledge.”Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15Verse 15 He that prefers true knowledge to riches, follows the ways of religion and happiness. If we really believed this truth, the word of God would be valued as it deserves, and the world would lose its tempting influence.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. The contrast denotes the greater value of knowledge (compare Pr 3:14-16).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 20:15

• Jewels
• Ruby
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Coral
• Proverb

Commentaries on Proverbs 20

• 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