A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
Parallel translations
- WEB A fool’s lips come into strife, and his mouth invites beatings.
- 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 the sand weighty; but a fool’s wrath is heavier than them both.
- Prov 16:27–28An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
- Prov 22:24–25Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go:
- Prov 17:14The beginning of strife is as when one letteth out water: therefore leave off contention, before it be meddled with.
- Prov 13:10Only by pride cometh contention: but with the well advised is wisdom.
- Prov 25:24It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house.
- Prov 20:3It is an honour for a man to cease from strife: but every fool will be meddling.
- Prov 29:9If a wise man contendeth with a foolish man, whether he rage or laugh, there is no rest.
- Prov 14:16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident.
- Prov 14:3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod of pride: but the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
- Prov 12:16A fool’s wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.
- Prov 19:19A man of great wrath shall suffer punishment: for if thou deliver him, yet thou must do it again.
- Prov 19:29Judgments are prepared for scorners, and stripes for the back 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.