New Living Translation
Proverbs 20:15
15Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.
Proverbs 20:15 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
- New International Version (NIV)Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.
- English Standard Version (ESV)There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
- New King James Version (NKJV)There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Context of Proverbs 20:15
13If you love sleep, you will end in poverty. Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat! 14The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,” then brags about getting a bargain! Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies. 16Get security from someone who guarantees a stranger’s debt. Get a deposit if he does it for foreigners. 17Stolen bread tastes sweet, but it turns to gravel in the mouth.
Read all of Proverbs 20Proverbs 20:15 word by word
יֵ֣שׁ זָ֭הָב וְרָב־פְּנִינִ֑ים וּכְלִ֥י יְ֝קָ֗ר שִׂפְתֵי־דָֽעַת׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
- There isיֵשׁyêsh · thereH3426
- goldזָהָבzâhâb · goldH2091
- and a multitudeרֹבrôb · abundanceH7230
- of rubiesפְּנִינִיםpânîyn pânîy · jewelH6443
- but the lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lipsH8193
- of knowledgeדַּ֫עַתda‛ath · knowledgeH1847
- a preciousיְקָרyeqâr · preciousnessH3366
- jewelכְּלִיkelîy · article/utensilH3627
Cross-references for Proverbs 20:15
- Proverbs 3:15Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
- Proverbs 8:11For wisdom is far more valuable than rubies. Nothing you desire can compare with it.
- Proverbs 10:20The words of the godly are like sterling silver; the heart of a fool is worthless.
- Proverbs 15:7The lips of the wise give good advice; the heart of a fool has none to give.
- Proverbs 16:16How much better to get wisdom than gold, and good judgment than silver!
- Proverbs 25:12To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
- Job 28:12“But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding?
- Ecclesiastes 12:9Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them.
- Romans 10:14But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them?
- 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.
Commentaries on Proverbs 20:15
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 15There is gold - Gold is valuable, silver is valuable, and so are jewels; but the teachings of sound knowledge are more valuable than all.Read the comment
- Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 15A precious jewel - literally, “A vessel of preciousness,” i. e., most precious of all are “the lips of knowledge.”Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 15Verse 15 He that prefers true knowledge to riches, follows the ways of religion and happiness. If we really believed this truth, the word of God would be valued as it deserves, and the world would lose its tempting influence.Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 1515. The contrast denotes the greater value of knowledge (compare Pr 3:14-16).Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 20:15
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 20
- 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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