Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Parallel translations
- WEB Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
- KJV The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
- NKJV The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.
- NASB Truthful lips will endure forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.
- NLT Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.
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
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Truth has lasting power, while lies are fleeting.
Overview
This proverb contrasts the permanence of truth with the brief, collapsing life of falsehood. Lies may seem to succeed for a time, but only truth endures. This reflects the eternal trustworthiness of God's word, which stands forever, against the passing schemes of deceit.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 6
- Prov 19:9A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who pours out lies will perish.
- Ps 52:4–5You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.
- Job 20:5the triumph of the wicked has been brief and the joy of the godless momentary?
- Zech 1:4–6Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets proclaimed that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: ‘Turn now from your evil ways and deeds.’ But they did not listen or pay attention to Me, declares the LORD.
- Acts 5:3–10Then Peter said, “Ananias, how is it that Satan has filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit and withhold some of the proceeds from the land?
- Matt 24:35Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away.
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 12:19 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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