New Living Translation
Proverbs 12:18
18Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
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 King James Version (NKJV)There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.
Context of Proverbs 12:18
16A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. 17An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies. Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. 19Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. 20Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil; joy fills hearts that are planning peace!
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 25:18Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow.
- Psalms 52:2All day long you plot destruction. Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor; you’re an expert at telling lies.
- Psalms 57:4I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey— whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.
- Psalms 59:7Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths; their words cut like swords. “After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.
- Psalms 64:3They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows.
- James 3:6And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.
- Revelation 1:16He held seven stars in his right hand, and a sharp two-edged sword came from his mouth. And his face was like the sun in all its brilliance.
- Proverbs 10:20The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.
- Proverbs 13:17An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.
- Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.
- Proverbs 16:24Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
- Daniel 11:33“Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed.
- Revelation 22:2It flowed down the center of the main street. On each side of the river grew a tree of life, bearing twelve crops of fruit, with a fresh crop each month. The leaves were used for medicine to heal 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
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