Proverbs 10:31
New International Version
From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.

New Living Translation
The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.

English Standard Version
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

Berean Standard Bible
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

King James Bible
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

New King James Version
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out.

New American Standard Bible
The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

NASB 1995
The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

NASB 1977
The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

Legacy Standard Bible
The mouth of the righteous bears wisdom, But the tongue of perversions will be cut out.

Amplified Bible
The mouth of the righteous flows with [skillful and godly] wisdom, But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

Christian Standard Bible
The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

American Standard Version
The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom; But the perverse tongue shall be cut off.

Contemporary English Version
Honest people speak sensibly, but deceitful liars will be silenced.

English Revised Version
The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut off.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The mouth of a righteous person increases wisdom, but a devious tongue will be cut off.

Good News Translation
Righteous people speak wisdom, but the tongue that speaks evil will be stopped.

International Standard Version
The words of the righteous overflow with wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut out.

Majority Standard Bible
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

NET Bible
The speech of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom, but the one who speaks perversion will be destroyed.

New Heart English Bible
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

Webster's Bible Translation
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

World English Bible
The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, "" And the tongue of contrariness is cut out.

Young's Literal Translation
The mouth of the righteous uttereth wisdom, And the tongue of frowardness is cut out.

Smith's Literal Translation
The mouth of the just one shall germinate wisdom: and the tongue of perverseness shall be cut off.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The mouth of the just shall bring forth wisdom: the tongue of the perverse shall perish.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The mouth of the just shall bring forth wisdom. The tongue of the depraved will perish.

New American Bible
The mouth of the just yields wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

New Revised Standard Version
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom; but a perverse tongue shall be silenced.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The mouth of the righteous speaks wisdom and a perverted tongue will be cut out.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The mouth of the righteous buddeth with wisdom; But the froward tongue shall be cut off.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The mouth of the righteous drops wisdom: but the tongue of the unjust shall perish.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Proverbs: The Wise Son
30The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not inhabit the land. 31The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. 32The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.…

Cross References
James 3:10-12
Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! / Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? / My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Matthew 12:34-37
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. / But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ...

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Psalm 37:30
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

Proverbs 15:4
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 12:18
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

1 Peter 3:10
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

Matthew 15:11
A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”


Treasury of Scripture

The mouth of the just brings forth wisdom: but the fraudulent tongue shall be cut out.

mouth

Proverbs 10:11,13,20,21
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked…

Psalm 37:30
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

the froward

Psalm 31:18
Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Psalm 63:11
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Psalm 120:3,4
What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue? …

Jump to Previous
Budding Cut Flows Forth Froward Frowardness Mouth Perverse Perverted Putteth Righteous Tongue Twisted Upright Uttereth Wisdom
Jump to Next
Budding Cut Flows Forth Froward Frowardness Mouth Perverse Perverted Putteth Righteous Tongue Twisted Upright Uttereth Wisdom
Proverbs 10
1. Proverbs of Solomon: observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices














The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom
This phrase emphasizes the value of righteous speech, which is a recurring theme in the book of Proverbs. The "righteous" refers to those who live in accordance with God's laws and principles. In biblical context, wisdom is not merely intellectual knowledge but a practical application of God's truth in daily life. The righteous are seen as conduits of divine wisdom, reflecting the fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10). This aligns with James 3:17, which describes wisdom from above as pure, peaceable, and full of mercy. The imagery of "bringing forth" suggests a natural, abundant outflow, much like a tree bearing fruit, which is a common biblical metaphor for a life rooted in God (Psalm 1:3).

but a perverse tongue will be cut out
This part of the verse contrasts the fate of the wicked with that of the righteous. A "perverse tongue" refers to speech that is deceitful, corrupt, or contrary to God's truth. In the ancient Near Eastern context, speech was considered a powerful tool that could build up or destroy communities. The severe imagery of being "cut out" indicates divine judgment and the ultimate silencing of those who spread falsehoods. This echoes the warnings found in other scriptures, such as Psalm 12:3, where the Lord promises to cut off flattering lips and boastful tongues. The cutting out of the tongue symbolizes the removal of influence and the end of the destructive power of evil speech. This can also be seen as a type of Christ, who is the ultimate judge and will one day silence all falsehood and establish His truth (Revelation 19:15).

Persons / Places / Events
1. The Righteous
In the context of Proverbs, the righteous are those who live in accordance with God's laws and wisdom. They are characterized by their moral integrity and their relationship with God.

2. The Perverse
This term refers to those who deviate from what is right or good, often engaging in deceitful or corrupt speech and behavior.

3. Solomon
Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. His proverbs often contrast the righteous with the wicked.

4. Ancient Israel
The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where wisdom literature was a key component of teaching and moral instruction.

5. Wisdom Literature
A genre of biblical writing that includes Proverbs, focusing on practical and moral teachings.
Teaching Points
The Power of Righteous Speech
The words of the righteous are not just wise but life-giving, reflecting their relationship with God. As believers, we should strive to speak words that edify and build up others.

The Consequences of a Perverse Tongue
A perverse tongue leads to destruction and separation from God. We must guard our speech and ensure it aligns with biblical truth.

Cultivating Wisdom in Speech
To bring forth wisdom, we must immerse ourselves in God's Word and allow it to transform our hearts and minds. This transformation will naturally reflect in our speech.

The Heart-Speech Connection
Our words are a reflection of our inner spiritual state. Regular self-examination and repentance are necessary to ensure our hearts are aligned with God's will.

The Role of Community in Speech
Engaging in a community of believers can help us cultivate righteous speech, as we encourage and hold each other accountable.(31) Bringeth forth wisdom.--As the fields their "increase" (Deuteronomy 32:13); hence words are termed the "fruit of the lips" (Isaiah 57:19).

The froward tongue.--See above on Proverbs 2:12.

Shall be cut out.--Comp. Christ's warning (Matthew 12:36). Sins of the tongue will be severely judged, because, besides doing mischief to others, they are signs of an evil mind within (Matthew 5:34). . . .

Verse 31. - Bringeth forth; as a tree produces fruit, and the fields yield their increase. The metaphor is common. Thus Isaiah (Isaiah 57:19) speaks of "the fruit of the lips" (comp. Hebrews 13:15 and Psalm 37:30, which latter passage occurs in the same connection as the present). The Septuagint renders, "distilleth wisdom." So Song of Solomon 5:13, "His lips are like lilies, dropping sweet smelling myrrh." The froward tongue (Proverbs 2:12, 14: 8:13, which speaks only what is perverse and evil). Shall be cut out; like a corrupt tree that cumbers the ground (Matthew 3:10; Luke 13:7). The abuse of God's great gift of speech shall be severely punished. "For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned" (Matthew 12:36, 37).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The mouth
פִּֽי־ (pî-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

of the righteous
צַ֭דִּיק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

brings forth
יָנ֣וּב (yā·nūḇ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5107: To germinate, to, flourish, to utter

wisdom,
חָכְמָ֑ה (ḥāḵ·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 2451: Wisdom

but a perverse
תַּ֝הְפֻּכ֗וֹת (tah·pu·ḵō·wṯ)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8419: Perversity, perverse thing

tongue
וּלְשׁ֥וֹן (ū·lə·šō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 3956: The tongue

will be cut out.
תִּכָּרֵֽת׃ (tik·kā·rêṯ)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3772: To cut, to destroy, consume, to covenant


Links
Proverbs 10:31 NIV
Proverbs 10:31 NLT
Proverbs 10:31 ESV
Proverbs 10:31 NASB
Proverbs 10:31 KJV

Proverbs 10:31 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 10:31 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 10:31 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 10:31 French Bible
Proverbs 10:31 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 10:31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 10:30
Top of Page
Top of Page