Proverbs 20:15

Proverbs 20:15 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
• English Standard Version (ESV)There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
• New King James Version (NKJV)There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
• New Living Translation (NLT)Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.

Context of Proverbs 20:15

13Do not love sleep or you will grow poor; stay awake and you will have food to spare. 14“It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer— then goes off and boasts about the purchase. Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel. 16Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger; hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider. 17Food gained by fraud tastes sweet, but one ends up with a mouth full of gravel.

Proverbs 20:15 word by word

יֵ֣שׁ זָ֭הָב וְרָב־פְּנִינִ֑ים וּכְלִ֥י יְ֝קָ֗ר שִׂפְתֵי־דָֽעַת׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• There isיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
• goldזָהָבzâhâb · goldH2091
• and a multitudeרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
• of rubiesפְּנִינִיםpânîyn pânîy · jewelH6443
• but the lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lipsH8193
• of knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
• a preciousיְקָרyeqâr · preciousnessH3366
• jewelכְּלִיkelîy · article/utensilH3627

Cross-references for Proverbs 20:15

• Proverbs 3:15She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
• Proverbs 8:11for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
• Proverbs 10:20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
• Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not upright.
• Proverbs 16:16How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver!
• Proverbs 25:12Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
• Job 28:12But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?
• 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.
• 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?
• 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.

Commentaries on Proverbs 20:15

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15There is gold - Gold is valuable, silver is valuable, and so are jewels; but the teachings of sound knowledge are more valuable than all.Read the comment
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15A precious jewel - literally, “A vessel of preciousness,” i. e., most precious of all are “the lips of knowledge.”Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15Verse 15 He that prefers true knowledge to riches, follows the ways of religion and happiness. If we really believed this truth, the word of God would be valued as it deserves, and the world would lose its tempting influence.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. The contrast denotes the greater value of knowledge (compare Pr 3:14-16).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 20:15

• Jewels
• Ruby
• Speaking

In the dictionaries

• Advice
• Cease
• Naught
• Obscure
• Proclaim
• Pure
• Purpose
• Wait
• Coral
• Proverb

Commentaries on Proverbs 20

• 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