A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
Parallel translations
- KJV A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
- BSB A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating.
- NKJV A fool’s lips enter into contention, And his mouth calls for blows.
- NASB A fool’s lips bring strife, And his mouth invites beatings.
- NLT Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels; they are asking for a beating.
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
A fool's words stir up conflict and provoke punishment. Reckless speech invites strife and harm.
Overview
The fool's lips drag him into quarrels, and his mouth practically invites a beating, showing how undisciplined speech brings trouble on its owner. Together with the next verse it underscores the destructive power of careless words. Scripture urges gentle, wise speech that turns away wrath (Prov. 15:1), a self-control that the Spirit cultivates in those who belong to Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Prov 27:3A stone is heavy, and sand is a burden; but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.
- Prov 16:27–28A worthless man devises mischief. His speech is like a scorching fire.
- Prov 22:24–25Don’t befriend a hot-tempered man, and don’t associate with one who harbors anger:
- Prov 17:14The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
- Prov 13:10Pride only breeds quarrels, but with ones who take advice is wisdom.
- Prov 25:24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than to share a house with a contentious woman.
- Prov 20:3It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife; but every fool will be quarreling.
- Prov 29:9If a wise man goes to court with a foolish man, the fool rages or scoffs, and there is no peace.
- Prov 14:16A wise man fears and shuns evil, but the fool is hot headed and reckless.
- Prov 14:3The fool’s talk brings a rod to his back, but the lips of the wise protect them.
- Prov 12:16A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.
- Prov 19:19A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
- Prov 19:29Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
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 18:6 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.