New International Version
Proverbs 10:21
21The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.
Proverbs 10:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The words of the godly encourage many, but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
Context of Proverbs 10:21
19Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues. 20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense. 22The blessing of the Lord brings wealth, without painful toil for it. 23A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
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 12:18The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- Proverbs 15:4The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.
- Job 4:3Think how you have instructed many, how 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 daily bread.
- Job 29:21“People listened to me expectantly, waiting in silence for my counsel.
- Psalms 37:30The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom, and their tongues speak what is just.
- Ecclesiastes 12:9Not only was the Teacher wise, but he also imparted knowledge to the people. He pondered and searched out and set in order many proverbs.
- Jeremiah 3:15Then I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will lead you with knowledge and understanding.
- Jeremiah 15:16When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight, for I bear your name, Lord God Almighty.
- John 21:15When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”
- 1 Peter 5:2Be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing, as God wants you to be; not pursuing dishonest gain, but eager to serve;
- Proverbs 1:29since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord.
- Proverbs 5:12You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!
- Hosea 4:6my people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.
- Matthew 13:19When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path.
- John 3:19This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of 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
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