New International Version
Proverbs 12:18
18The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Proverbs 12:18 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.
- English Standard Version (ESV)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- New King James Version (NKJV)There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
Context of Proverbs 12:18
16Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult. 17An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies. The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 20Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil, but those who promote peace have joy.
Read all of Proverbs 12Proverbs 12:18 word by word
יֵ֣שׁ בּ֭וֹטֶה כְּמַדְקְר֣וֹת חָ֑רֶב וּלְשׁ֖וֹן חֲכָמִ֣ים מַרְפֵּֽא׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 12:18
- Proverbs 25:18Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
- Psalms 52:2You who practice deceit, your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor.
- Psalms 57:4I am in the midst of lions; I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
- Psalms 59:7See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, “Who can hear us?”
- Psalms 64:3They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim cruel words like deadly arrows.
- James 3:6The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
- Revelation 1:16In his right hand he held seven stars, and coming out of his mouth was a sharp, double-edged sword. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance.
- Proverbs 10:20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
- Proverbs 13:17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a trustworthy envoy brings healing.
- Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.
- Proverbs 16:24Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
- Daniel 11:33“Those who are wise will instruct many, though for a time they will fall by the sword or be burned or captured or plundered.
- Revelation 22:2down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.
Commentaries on Proverbs 12:18
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 18There is that speaketh - Instead of בוטה boteh, blabbing out, blustering, several MSS. have בוטח boteach, Trusting: and instead of כמדקרות kemadkeroth, As the piercings, seven MSS., with the Complutensian Polyglot, have במדקרות bemadkeroth, In the piercings. "There is that trusteth in the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health." But I suppose the former to be the true reading.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 18Verse 18 Whisperings and evil surmises, like a sword, separate those that have been dear to each other. The tongue of the wise is health, making all whole.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1818. speaketh--literally, "speaketh hastily," or indiscreetly (Psa 106:33), as an angry man retorts harsh and provoking invectives. tongue ... health--by soothing and gentle language.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 12:18
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 12
- 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
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