New Living Translation
Proverbs 17:27
27A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
Proverbs 17:27 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit.
- New International Version (NIV)The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
Context of Proverbs 17:27
25Foolish children bring grief to their father and bitterness to the one who gave them birth. 26It is wrong to punish the godly for being good or to flog leaders for being honest. A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. 28Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.
Read all of Proverbs 17Proverbs 17:27 word by word
חוֹשֵׂ֣ךְ אֲ֭מָרָיו יוֹדֵ֣עַ דָּ֑עַת יְקַר ר֝֗וּחַ אִ֣ישׁ תְּבוּנָֽה׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- He that hathיָדַעyâda‛ · to knowH3045
- knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
- sparethחָשַׂךְchâώak · to withholdH2820
- his wordsאֵמֶר'êmer · wordH561
- a manאִישׁ'îysh · manH376
- of understandingתְּבוּנָהtâbûn tebûnâh tôbûnâh · understandingH8394
- is of an excellentקַרqar · coolH7119
- is of an excellentיָקָרyâqâr · preciousH3368
- spiritרוּחַrûach · spirit: temperH7307
Cross-references for Proverbs 17:27
- Proverbs 10:19Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
- Proverbs 15:28The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking; the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
- James 1:19Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.
- James 3:2Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.
- Proverbs 16:32Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city.
- Ecclesiastes 9:17Better to hear the quiet words of a wise person than the shouts of a foolish king.
- James 3:18And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness.
Commentaries on Proverbs 17:27
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 27Better, A man of calm (or noble) spirit is a man of understanding.Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 27-28Verses 27-28 A man may show himself to be a wise man, by the good temper of his mind, and by the good government of his tongue. He is careful when he does speak, to speak to the purpose. God knows his heart, and the folly that is bound there; therefore he cannot be deceived in his judgment as men may be.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 27-2827-28. Prudence of speech is commended as is an excellent or calm spirit, not excited to vain conversation.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 17:27
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 Living Translation — © 1996, 2004, 2015 Tyndale House Foundation
Commentaries