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

21The one who pursues righteousness and love finds life, bounty, and honor. 22The wise person can scale the city of the mighty and bring down the stronghold in which they trust. The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles. 24A proud and arrogant person, whose name is “Scoffer,” acts with overbearing pride. 25What the sluggard desires will kill him, for 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 10:19When words abound, transgression is inevitable, but the one who restrains his words is wise.
• Proverbs 12:13The evil person is ensnared by the transgression of his speech, but the righteous person escapes out of trouble.
• Proverbs 13:3The one who guards his words guards his life, but whoever is talkative will come to ruin.
• Proverbs 17:27The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning.
• Proverbs 18:21Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.
• James 1:26If someone thinks he is religious yet does not bridle his tongue, and so deceives his heart, his religion is futile.
• James 3:2For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect individual, able to control the entire body as well.

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