Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket.
Parallel translations
- WEB A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
- KJV A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
- BSB A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
- NKJV A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold In settings of silver.
- NASB ¶Like apples of gold in settings of silver, Is a word spoken at the proper time.
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 well-timed, fitting word is as beautiful and valuable as golden apples in silver settings. Right words at the right moment are precious.
Overview
This celebrated image praises speech that is apt in both content and timing. Wisdom is not only saying true things but saying them well and at the proper moment (Prov 15:23). Such graceful, fitting speech reflects the character of Christ, whose words were always full of grace (Luke 4:22; Col 4:6).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 4
- Prov 15:23Joy comes to a man with the reply of his mouth. How good is a word at the right time!
- Isa 50:4The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary. He wakens morning by morning, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
- Eccl 12:10The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.
- Prov 24:26An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
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 25:11 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.