Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
Parallel translations
- KJV Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
- BSB Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.
- 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 which has been hidden for ages and generations. But now it has been revealed to his saints,
- Matt 7:28–29When Jesus had finished saying these things, the multitudes were astonished at his teaching,
- Prov 23:16yes, my heart will rejoice, when your lips speak what is right.
- Prov 4:2for I give you sound learning. Don’t forsake my law.
- Matt 13:35that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, “I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.”
- Prov 22:20–21Haven’t I written to you thirty excellent things of counsel and knowledge,
- 1 Cor 2:6–7We speak wisdom, however, among those who are full grown; yet a wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to nothing.
- Ps 19:7–11Yahweh’s law is perfect, restoring the soul. Yahweh’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple.
- Matt 5:2–12He opened his mouth and taught them, saying,
- Prov 4:20–22My son, attend to my words. Turn your ear to my sayings.
- Job 33:1–3“However, Job, please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.
- Prov 2:6–7For Yahweh gives wisdom. Out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
- Ps 49:3My mouth will speak words of wisdom. My heart shall utter 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.