When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
Parallel translations
- WEB In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
- KJV In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.
- NKJV In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.
- NASB When there are many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable, But one who restrains his lips is wise.
- NLT Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.
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
Many words invite sin, but restraining the lips is wise. Talking too much leads to transgression; wise people guard their speech.
Overview
An abundance of words multiplies opportunities for sin, so the wise exercise restraint. This commends thoughtful, measured speech over careless chatter. The New Testament echoes this counsel, urging believers to be quick to listen and slow to speak (James 1:19; Matthew 12:36).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Jas 1:19My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,
- Jas 3:2We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body.
- Prov 17:27–28A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit.
- Eccl 10:13–14The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness.
- Eccl 5:3As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words.
- Ps 39:1For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”
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 10:19 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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