New King James Version
Ecclesiastes 10:12
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;
Ecclesiastes 10:12 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
- New International Version (NIV)Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.
- English Standard Version (ESV)The words of a wise man's mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words.
Context of Ecclesiastes 10:12
10If the ax is dull, And one does not sharpen the edge, Then he must use more strength; But wisdom brings success. 11A serpent may bite when it is not charmed; The babbler is no different. The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up; 13The words of his mouth begin with foolishness, And the end of his talk is raving madness. 14A fool also multiplies words. No man knows what is to be; Who can tell him what will be after him?
Read all of Ecclesiastes 10Ecclesiastes 10:12 word by word
דִּבְרֵ֥י פִי־חָכָ֖ם חֵ֑ן וְשִׂפְת֥וֹת כְּסִ֖יל תְּבַלְּעֶֽנּוּ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Ecclesiastes 10:12
- Job 4:3Surely you have instructed many, And you have strengthened weak hands.
- Job 16:5But I would strengthen you with my mouth, And the comfort of my lips would relieve your grief.
- Psalms 37:30The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom, And his tongue talks of justice.
- Psalms 40:9I have proclaimed the good news of righteousness In the great assembly; Indeed, I do not restrain my lips, O Lord, You Yourself know.
- Psalms 71:15My mouth shall tell of Your righteousness And Your salvation all the day, For I do not know their limits.
- Proverbs 10:13Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has understanding, But a rod is for the back of him who is devoid of understanding.
- Proverbs 12:13The wicked is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, But the righteous will come through trouble.
- Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, But the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.
- Proverbs 16:21The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
- Proverbs 22:17Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your heart to my knowledge;
- Proverbs 25:11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.
- Proverbs 31:26She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
- Matthew 12:35A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
- Luke 4:22So all bore witness to Him, and marveled at the gracious words which proceeded out of His mouth. And they said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”
- Ephesians 4:29Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
- Colossians 4:6Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 10:12
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 12The words of a wise man's mouth - Every thing that proceeds from him is decent and orderly, creditable to himself, and acceptable to those who hear him. But the lips of the fool, which speak every thing at random, and have no understanding to guide them, are not only not pleasant to others, but often destructive to himself.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 11-15Verses 11-15 There is a practice in the East, of charming serpents by music. The babbler's tongue is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison; and contradiction only makes it the more violent. We must find the way to keep him gentle. But by rash, unprincipled, or slanderous talk, he brings open or secret vengeance upon himself. Would we duly consider our own ignorance as to future events, it would cut off many idle words which we foolishly multiply. Fools…Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 12Fools face ruin from making foolish promises, giving false testimony, and angering the wrong people (see 5:6; Proverbs 17:20; 18:6–7; 19:5, 9).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1212. gracious--Thereby he takes precaution against sudden injury (Ec 10:11). swallow up himself--(Pr 10:8, 14, 21, 32; 12:13; 15:2; 22:11).Read the comment
Topics related to Ecclesiastes 10:12
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Ecclesiastes 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
- Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
- EGW Writings
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries