He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
Parallel translations
- WEB He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
- KJV He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
- NKJV He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.
- NASB One who declares truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit.
- NLT An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies.
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
An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness lies. Truthfulness in testimony is a matter of justice and integrity.
Overview
This proverb plainly distinguishes the truthful witness, who upholds justice, from the false witness, who spreads lies. Honest testimony protects others and reflects God's own truthfulness. The God of truth, fully revealed in Christ who is the truth, calls His people to speak truthfully in every setting.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 12
- Prov 14:5An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.
- Prov 14:25A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.
- Prov 24:28Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
- Prov 6:19a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
- Prov 21:28A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
- Prov 19:28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
- Prov 19:5A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
- Matt 15:19For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.
- Acts 6:13where they presented false witnesses who said, “This man never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.
- Matt 26:59Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.
- 1 Sam 22:14–15Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard who is honored in your house?
- 1 Pet 3:16keeping a clear conscience, so that those who slander you may be put to shame by your good behavior in Christ.
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 12:17 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.