Tree of Life Version
Proverbs 13:3
3He who watches his mouth protects his life, but whoever opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Proverbs 13:3 in other versions
- King James Version (KJV)He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
- New International Version (NIV)Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.
- English Standard Version (ESV)Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
- New King James Version (NKJV)He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.
Context of Proverbs 13:3
1A wise son heeds his father’s discipline, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. 2From the fruit of a man’s mouth he enjoys good things, but the treacherous crave violence. He who watches his mouth protects his life, but whoever opens wide his lips comes to ruin. 4The slacker’s soul craves, yet has nothing, but the diligent soul will be satisfied. 5A righteous person hates lying, but the wicked acts in shameful disgrace.
Read all of Proverbs 13Proverbs 13:3 word by word
נֹצֵ֣ר פִּ֭יו שֹׁמֵ֣ר נַפְשׁ֑וֹ פֹּשֵׂ֥ק שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו מְחִתָּה־לֽוֹ׃Read the interlinear
Words taken from the KJV.
Cross-references for Proverbs 13:3
- Proverbs 12:13An evil one is ensnared by the sin of lips, but the righteous one escapes trouble.
- Proverbs 21:23Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul out of troubles.
- Psalms 39:1For the music director, for Jeduthun, a psalm of David.
- Matthew 12:36But I tell you that on the Day of Judgment, men will give account for every careless word they speak.
- James 1:26If anyone thinks he is religious and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his heart, this person’s religion is futile.
- James 3:2For we all stumble in many ways. If someone does not stumble in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
Commentaries on Proverbs 13:3
- Adam Clarke Bible Commentary · v. 3He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life - How often have the foolish, headstrong, and wicked, forfeited their lives by the treasonable or blasphemous words they have spoken! The government of the tongue is a rare but useful talent. But he that openeth wide his lips - He that puts no bounds to his loquacity, speaks on every subject, and gives his judgment and opinion on every matter. It has often been remarked that God has, given us two Eyes, that we…Read the comment
- Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 3Verse 3 He that thinks before he speaks, that suppresses evil if he have thought it, keeps his soul from a great deal both of guilt and grief. Many a one is ruined by an ungoverned tongue.Read the comment
- Tyndale Open Study Notes · v. 3Controlling what you say shows wisdom (see James 3:1–12).Read the comment
- Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 33. He ... mouth ... life--because evil speeches may provoke violence from others. he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction--On last clause, compare Pr 10:14.Read the comment
Topics related to Proverbs 13:3
In the dictionaries
Commentaries on Proverbs 13
- 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
Tree of Life Version — © 2015 The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society
Commentaries