New King James Version
Proverbs 12:18
18There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
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.
- New International Version (NIV)The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- English Standard Version (ESV)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
- New Living Translation (NLT)Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
Context of Proverbs 12:18
16A fool’s wrath is known at once, But a prudent man covers shame. 17He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit. There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. 19The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment. 20Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, But counselors of 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 25:18A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow.
- Psalms 52:2Your tongue devises destruction, Like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
- Psalms 57:4My soul is among lions; I lie among the sons of men Who are set on fire, Whose teeth are spears and arrows, And their tongue a sharp sword.
- Psalms 59:7Indeed, they belch with their mouth; Swords are in their lips; For they say, “Who hears?”
- Psalms 64:3Who sharpen their tongue like a sword, And bend their bows to shoot their arrows—bitter words,
- James 3:6And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell.
- Revelation 1:16He had in His right hand seven stars, out of His mouth went a sharp two-edged sword, and His countenance was like the sun shining in its strength.
- Proverbs 10:20The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; The heart of the wicked is worth little.
- Proverbs 13:17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a faithful ambassador brings health.
- Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge, But the heart of the fool does not do so.
- Proverbs 16:24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.
- Daniel 11:33And those of the people who understand shall instruct many; yet for many days they shall fall by sword and flame, by captivity and plundering.
- Revelation 22:2In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries