The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
Parallel translations
- WEB The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
- KJV The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
- BSB The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
- NKJV The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
- NASB The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. Righteous speech gives life; wicked speech conceals harm.
Overview
The righteous person's words bring refreshment and life to others, like a life-giving spring, whereas the wicked's mouth hides violence. This highlights the immense power of the tongue for good or ill, a theme James later develops (James 3:5-10). Words that nourish and bless flow from a heart shaped by God's wisdom.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Prov 13:14The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, to turn from the snares of death.
- Eph 4:29Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but only what is good for building others up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
- Prov 18:4The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
- Prov 10:20–21The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth.
- Prov 10:6Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
- Prov 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
- Prov 16:22–24Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
- Prov 10:32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
- Ps 37:30–31The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.
- Eccl 10:12–14The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
- Jas 3:5–8So the tongue is also a little member, and boasts great things. See how a small fire can spread to a large forest!
- Matt 12:34–37You offspring of vipers, how can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.
- Prov 20:15There is gold and abundance of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
- Ps 107:42The upright will see it, and be glad. All the wicked will shut their mouths.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 10:11 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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