Proverbs 21:23

Proverbs 21:23 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
• New International Version (NIV)Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.
• English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.
• New King James Version (NKJV)Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.

Context of Proverbs 21:23

21Whoever pursues righteousness and unfailing love will find life, righteousness, and honor. 22The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust. Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. 24Mockers are proud and haughty; they act with boundless arrogance. 25Despite their desires, the lazy will come to ruin, for their hands refuse to work.

Proverbs 21:23 word by word

שֹׁמֵ֣ר פִּ֭יו וּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ שֹׁמֵ֖ר מִצָּר֣וֹת נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• Whoso keepethשָׁמַרshâmar · to keep: guardH8104
• his mouthפֶּהpeh · lipH6310
• and his tongueלָשׁוֹןlâshôn lâshôn leshônâh · tongueH3956
• his soulנֶ֫פֶשׁnephesh · soul: myselfH5315
• from troublesצָרָהtsârâh · distressH6869

Cross-references for Proverbs 21:23

• Proverbs 10:19Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
• Proverbs 12:13The wicked are trapped by their own words, but the godly escape such trouble.
• Proverbs 13:3Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
• Proverbs 17:27A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered.
• Proverbs 18:21The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
• James 1:26If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.
• 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.

Commentaries on Proverbs 21:23

• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 23Verse 23 It is our great concern to keep our souls from being entangled and disquieted.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2323. (Compare Pr 13:2, 3; Jas 3:6-10).Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 21:23

• Prudence
• Speaking
• Tongue

In the dictionaries

• Mind
• Ponder
• Toss
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 21

• 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