New International Version
Proverbs 18:21
21The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
- New King James Version (NKJV)Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.
- New Living Translation (NLT)The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Context of Proverbs 18:21
19A brother wronged is more unyielding than a fortified city; disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel. 20From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 22He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord. 23The poor plead for mercy, but the rich answer harshly.
Read all of Proverbs 18Proverbs 18:21 word by word
מָ֣וֶת וְ֭חַיִּים בְּיַד־לָשׁ֑וֹן וְ֝אֹהֲבֶ֗יהָ יֹאכַ֥ל פִּרְיָֽהּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 18:21
- Proverbs 18:4The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.
- Proverbs 10:20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
- Proverbs 11:30The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the one who is wise saves lives.
- Matthew 12:35A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.
- Romans 10:14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
- 2 Corinthians 2:16To the one we are an aroma that brings death; to the other, an aroma that brings life. And who is equal to such a task?
- 2 Corinthians 11:15It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.
- Ephesians 4:29Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
- Colossians 4:6Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
- 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.
- 2 Peter 2:18For they mouth empty, boastful words and, by appealing to the lustful desires of the flesh, they entice people who are just escaping from those who live in error.
- Proverbs 10:9Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
- Ecclesiastes 10:12Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.
- Isaiah 57:19creating praise on their lips. Peace, peace, to those far and near,” says the Lord. “And I will heal them.”
Commentaries on Proverbs 18:21
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 21Death and life are in the power of the tongue - This may apply to all men. Many have lost their lives by their tongue, and some have saved their lives by it: but it applies most forcibly to public pleaders; on many of their tongues hangs life or death.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21Verse 21 Many a one has caused his own death, or the death of others, by a false or injurious tongue.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 21Life and death: Wise people speak thoughtfully (Proverbs 10:19; 11:12; 12:23) because they know words have consequences (13:3; 14:3).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. Death and life--or, the greatest evil and good. that love it--that is, the tongue, or its use for good or evil. eat ... fruit--(Compare Pr 18:19; Jas 1:19).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 18:21
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 18
- 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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