Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
Parallel translations
- WEB Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for 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 1:26Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:
- Matt 7:28–29And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine:
- Prov 23:16Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.
- Prov 4:2For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
- Matt 13:35That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.
- Prov 22:20–21Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge,
- 1 Cor 2:6–7Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
- Ps 19:7–11The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple.
- Matt 5:2–12And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,
- Prov 4:20–22My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
- Job 33:1–3Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words.
- Prov 2:6–7For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
- Ps 49:3My mouth shall speak of wisdom; and the meditation of my heart shall be of understanding.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
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.