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 mercy finds life, prosperity and honor. 22A wise person scales the city of warriors and brings down the stronghold in which they trust. Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul out of troubles. 24A proud and haughty man —Mocker is his name— acts with overbearing pride. 25A slacker’s craving will kill him, because his 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 10:19When words abound, transgression is unavoidable. but whoever restrains his lips is wise.
• Proverbs 12:13An evil one is ensnared by the sin of lips, but the righteous one escapes trouble.
• Proverbs 13:3He who watches his mouth protects his life, but whoever opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
• Proverbs 17:27One with knowledge restrains his words, and a discerning person stays calm.
• Proverbs 18:21Death and life are in the control of the tongue. Those who indulge in it will eat its fruit.
• 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 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