New English Translation
Proverbs 17:7
7Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler!
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
5The one who mocks the poor insults his Creator; whoever rejoices over disaster will not go unpunished. 6Grandchildren are like a crown to the elderly, and the glory of children is their parents. Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler! 8A bribe works like a charm for the one who offers it; in whatever he does he succeeds. 9The one who forgives an offense seeks love, but whoever repeats a matter separates close 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 26:7Like legs that hang limp from the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
- Psalms 50:16God says this to the evildoer: “How can you declare my commands, and talk about my covenant?
- Proverbs 16:10The divine verdict is in the words of the king, his pronouncements must not act treacherously against justice.
- Proverbs 29:12If a ruler listens to lies, all his ministers will be wicked.
- 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel spoke, the protector of Israel spoke to me. The one who rules fairly among men, the one who rules in the fear of God,
- Job 34:12Indeed, in truth, God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.
- Psalms 101:3I will not even consider doing what is dishonest. I hate doing evil; I will have no part of it.
- Proverbs 12:19The one who tells the truth will endure forever, but the one who lies will last only for 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
New English Translation — © 1996-2016 Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C.
Commentaries