In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, 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.
- BSB When words are many, sin is unavoidable, 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 1:19So, then, my beloved brothers, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger;
- Jas 3:2For in many things we all stumble. If anyone doesn’t stumble in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also.
- Prov 17:27–28He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
- Eccl 10:13–14The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
- Eccl 5:3For as a dream comes with a multitude of cares, so a fool’s speech with a multitude of words.
- Ps 39:1For the Chief Musician. For Jeduthun. A Psalm by David. I said, “I will watch my ways, so that I don’t sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me.”
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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