New King James Version
Proverbs 17:7
7Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.
Proverbs 17:7 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
- New International Version (NIV)Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!
- English Standard Version (ESV)Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech 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
5He who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker; He who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished. 6Children’s children are the crown of old men, And the glory of children is their father. Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince. 8A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor; Wherever he turns, he prospers. 9He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates 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 legs of the lame that hang limp Is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
- Psalms 50:16But to the wicked God says: “What right have you to declare My statutes, Or take My covenant in your mouth,
- Proverbs 16:10Divination is on the lips of the king; His mouth must not transgress in judgment.
- Proverbs 29:12If a ruler pays attention to lies, All his servants become wicked.
- 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel said, The Rock of Israel spoke to me: ‘He who rules over men must be just, Ruling in the fear of God.
- Job 34:12Surely God will never do wickedly, Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
- Psalms 101:3I will set nothing wicked before my eyes; I hate the work of those who fall away; It shall not cling to me.
- Proverbs 12:19The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for 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
New King James Version — © 1982 Thomas Nelson, Inc
Commentaries