New International Version
Proverbs 17:7
7Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to 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.
- 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.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.
Context of Proverbs 17:7
5Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their Maker; whoever gloats over disaster will not go unpunished. 6Children’s children are a crown to the aged, and parents are the pride of their children. Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler! 8A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn. 9Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the 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 the useless legs of one who is lame is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
- Psalms 50:16But to the wicked person, God says: “What right have you to recite my laws or take my covenant on your lips?
- Proverbs 16:10The lips of a king speak as an oracle, and his mouth does not betray justice.
- Proverbs 29:12If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials become wicked.
- 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel spoke, the Rock of Israel said to me: ‘When one rules over people in righteousness, when he rules in the fear of God,
- Job 34:12It is unthinkable that God would do wrong, that the Almighty would pervert justice.
- Psalms 101:3I will not look with approval on anything that is vile. I hate what faithless people do; I will have no part in it.
- Proverbs 12:19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only 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
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Commentaries