Proverbs 21:23

Proverbs 21:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
• New International Version (NIV)Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

Context of Proverbs 21:23

21Whoever pursues righteousness and mercy will find life, righteousness, and honor. 22A wise man attacks a city of warriors and pulls down the strong defenses in which they trust. Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. 24An arrogant, conceited person is called a mocker. His arrogance knows no limits. 25The desire of a lazy person will kill him because his hands refuse to work.

Proverbs 21:23 word by word

שֹׁמֵ֣ר פִּ֭יו וּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ שֹׁמֵ֖ר מִצָּר֣וֹת נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whoso keepethשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: guardH8104
• his mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• and his tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
• his soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: myselfH5315
• from troublesצָרָהtsârâh · distressH6869

Cross-references for Proverbs 21:23

• Proverbs 10:19Sin is unavoidable when there is much talk, but whoever seals his lips is wise.
• Proverbs 12:13An evil person is trapped by his own sinful talk, but a righteous person escapes from trouble.
• Proverbs 13:3Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life. Whoever has a big mouth comes to ruin.
• Proverbs 17:27Whoever has knowledge controls his words, and a person who has understanding is even-tempered.
• Proverbs 18:21The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.
• 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 21:23

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 It is our great concern to keep our souls from being entangled and disquieted.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. (Compare Pr 13:2, 3; Jas 3:6-10).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 21:23

• Prudence
• Speaking
• Tongue

In the dictionaries

• Mind
• Ponder
• Toss
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 21

• 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