New Living Translation
Ecclesiastes 10:12
12Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words.
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 King James Version (NKJV)The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, But the lips of a fool shall swallow him up;
Context of Ecclesiastes 10:12
10Using a dull ax requires great strength, so sharpen the blade. That’s the value of wisdom; it helps you succeed. 11If a snake bites before you charm it, what’s the use of being a snake charmer? Wise words bring approval, but fools are destroyed by their own words. 13Fools base their thoughts on foolish assumptions, so their conclusions will be wicked madness; 14they chatter on and on. No one really knows what is going to happen; no one can predict the future.
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 4:3“In the past you have encouraged many people; you have strengthened those who were weak.
- Job 16:5But if it were me, I would encourage you. I would try to take away your grief.
- Psalms 37:30The godly offer good counsel; they teach right from wrong.
- Psalms 40:9I have told all your people about your justice. I have not been afraid to speak out, as you, O Lord, well know.
- Psalms 71:15I will tell everyone about your righteousness. All day long I will proclaim your saving power, though I am not skilled with words.
- Proverbs 10:13Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding, but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.
- Proverbs 12:13The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.
- Proverbs 15:2The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.
- Proverbs 16:21The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.
- Proverbs 22:17Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction.
- Proverbs 25:11Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
- Proverbs 31:26When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
- Matthew 12:35A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart.
- Luke 4:22Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
- Ephesians 4:29Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
- Colossians 4:6Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.
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
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