New English Translation
Proverbs 10:21
21The teaching of the righteous feeds many, but fools die for lack of wisdom.
Proverbs 10:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
- New International Version (NIV)The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense.
- New King James Version (NKJV)The lips of the righteous feed many, But fools die for lack of wisdom.
Context of Proverbs 10:21
19When words abound, transgression is inevitable, but the one who restrains his words is wise. 20What the righteous say is like the best silver, but what the wicked think is of little value. The teaching of the righteous feeds many, but fools die for lack of wisdom. 22The blessing from the Lord makes a person rich, and he adds no sorrow to it. 23Carrying out a wicked scheme is enjoyable to a fool, and so is wisdom for the one who has discernment.
Read all of Proverbs 10Proverbs 10:21 word by word
שִׂפְתֵ֣י צַ֭דִּיק יִרְע֣וּ רַבִּ֑ים וֶֽ֝אֱוִילִ֗ים בַּחֲסַר־לֵ֥ב יָמֽוּתוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 10:21
- Proverbs 12:18Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing.
- Proverbs 15:4Speech that heals is like a life-giving tree, but a perverse tongue breaks the spirit.
- Job 4:3Look, you have instructed many; you have strengthened feeble hands.
- Job 23:12I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my allotted portion.
- Job 29:21“People listened to me and waited silently; they kept silent for my advice.
- Psalms 37:30The godly speak wise words and promote justice.
- Ecclesiastes 12:9Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also taught knowledge to the people; he carefully evaluated and arranged many proverbs.
- Jeremiah 3:15I will give you leaders who will be faithful to me. They will lead you with knowledge and insight.
- Jeremiah 15:16As your words came to me I drank them in, and they filled my heart with joy and happiness because I belong to you.
- John 21:15Then when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of John, do you love me more than these do?” He replied, “Yes, Lord, you know I love you.” Jesus told him, “Feed my lambs.”
- 1 Peter 5:2Give a shepherd’s care to God’s flock among you, exercising oversight not merely as a duty but willingly under God’s direction, not for shameful profit but eagerly.
- Proverbs 1:29Because they hated moral knowledge, and did not choose to fear the Lord,
- Proverbs 5:12And you will say, “How I hated discipline! My heart spurned reproof!
- Hosea 4:6You have destroyed my people by failing to acknowledge me! Because you refuse to acknowledge me, I will reject you as my priests. Because you reject the law of your God, I will reject your descendants.
- Matthew 13:19When anyone hears the word about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches what was sown in his heart; this is the seed sown along the path.
- John 3:19Now this is the basis for judging: that the light has come into the world and people loved the darkness rather than the light, because their deeds were evil.
Commentaries on Proverbs 10:21
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21Feed - The Hebrew word, like ́ poimainein includes the idea of guiding as well as nourishing; doing a shepherd‘s work in both. For want of wisdom - Some prefer, through him who wanteth understanding, referring to a person. The wise guides others to safety; the fool, empty-headed, and empty-hearted, involves others like himself in destruction.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 20-21Verses 20-21 The tongue of the just is sincere, freed from the dross of guile and evil design. Pious discourse is spiritual food to the needy. Fools die for want of a heart, so the word is; for want of thought.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. Fools not only fail to benefit others, as do the righteous, but procure their own ruin (compare Pr 10:11, 17; Ho 4:6).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 10:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 10
- 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
- Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries