Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
Parallel translations
- WEB Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
- KJV Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
- NKJV Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things;
- NASB “Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.
- NLT Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right,
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
Wisdom promises to speak excellent and right things. Her words are noble and trustworthy.
Overview
Wisdom commends her message as worthy and upright, deserving careful attention. Her speech stands in stark contrast to the flattering lies of the seductress. The verse assures the hearer that wisdom's counsel is reliable and good.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Col 1:26the mystery that was hidden for ages and generations but is now revealed to His saints.
- Matt 7:28–29When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching,
- Prov 23:16My inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.
- Prov 4:2For I give you sound teaching; do not abandon my directive.
- Matt 13:35So was fulfilled what was spoken through the prophet: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden since the foundation of the world.”
- Prov 22:20–21Have I not written for you thirty sayings about counsel and knowledge,
- 1 Cor 2:6–7Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing.
- Ps 19:7–11The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple.
- Matt 5:2–12and He began to teach them, saying:
- Prov 4:20–22My son, pay attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
- Job 33:1–3“But now, O Job, hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
- Prov 2:6–7For the LORD gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
- Ps 49:3My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
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 8:6 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.