An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.
Parallel translations
- WEB An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
- KJV Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.
- NKJV He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.
- NASB One who gives a right answer Kisses the lips.
- NLT An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship.
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 truthful, fitting answer is as welcome and sincere as a kiss on the lips. Honesty is a gift of love.
Overview
The kiss here pictures genuine affection and friendship, so an honest reply is portrayed as an act of love, not harshness. Truth-telling, even when correcting, blesses both speaker and hearer (Eph 4:15). The verse commends candor over flattery and reflects the character of Christ, who is full of grace and truth (John 1:14).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 8
- Prov 15:23A man takes joy in a fitting reply—and how good is a timely word!
- Gen 41:38–57So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?”
- Prov 25:11–12A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
- Prov 16:1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
- Job 6:25How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove?
- Dan 2:46–48At this, King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, paid homage to Daniel, and ordered that an offering of incense be presented to him.
- Mark 12:32–34“Right, Teacher,” the scribe replied. “You have stated correctly that God is One and there is no other but Him,
- Mark 12:17–18Then Jesus told them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” And they marveled at Him.
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 24:26 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.