Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. New Living Translation Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. English Standard Version There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Berean Standard Bible Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. King James Bible There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. New King James Version There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health. New American Standard Bible There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. NASB 1995 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. NASB 1977 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. Legacy Standard Bible There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. Amplified Bible There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing. Christian Standard Bible There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Holman Christian Standard Bible There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing. American Standard Version There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health. Contemporary English Version Sharp words cut like a sword, but words of wisdom heal. English Revised Version There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. GOD'S WORD® Translation Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing. Good News Translation Thoughtless words can wound as deeply as any sword, but wisely spoken words can heal. International Standard Version Some speak rashly like the cutting of a sword, but what the wise say promotes healing. Majority Standard Bible Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. NET Bible Speaking recklessly is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words of the wise bring healing. New Heart English Bible There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals. Webster's Bible Translation There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. World English Bible There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionA rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, "" And the tongue of the wise is healing. Young's Literal Translation A rash speaker is like piercings of a sword, And the tongue of the wise is healing. Smith's Literal Translation There is he talking idly as the piercings of the sword: and the tongue of the wise is healing. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThere is that promiseth, and is pricked as it were with a sword of conscience: but the tongue of the wise is health. Catholic Public Domain Version He who makes promises is also jabbed, as if with a sword, in conscience. But the tongue of the wise is reasonable. New American Bible The babble of some people is like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise is healing. New Revised Standard Version Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThere are those whose speech is like the piercing of a sword; but the tongue of the wise heals. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated There are those that speak a stabbing sword, but the tongue of the wise heals. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health. Brenton Septuagint Translation Some wound as they speak, like swords; but the tongues of the wise heal. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Loving Discipline and Knowledge…17He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. 18 Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.… Cross References James 3:5-8 In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ... 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. Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 18:21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Matthew 12:36-37 But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.” Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. Proverbs 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. Proverbs 25:11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Psalm 52:2-4 Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue. James 1:19 My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. 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. Proverbs 21:23 He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. Treasury of Scripture There is that speaks like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. that Proverbs 25:18 A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. Psalm 52:2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully. Psalm 57:4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. like Revelation 1:16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. but Proverbs 10:20,21 The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth… Proverbs 13:17 A wicked messenger falleth into mischief: but a faithful ambassador is health. Proverbs 15:7 The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so. Jump to Previous Healing Heals Health Makes Pierce Piercing Rash Rashly Reckless Speaker Speaketh Speaks Sword Talk Thrusts Tongue Uncontrolled Wise Words WoundsJump to Next Healing Heals Health Makes Pierce Piercing Rash Rashly Reckless Speaker Speaketh Speaks Sword Talk Thrusts Tongue Uncontrolled Wise Words WoundsProverbs 12 1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledgeSpeaking rashly is like a piercing sword This phrase highlights the destructive power of words spoken without thought or consideration. In biblical times, swords were common weapons of war, symbolizing violence and harm. The imagery of a "piercing sword" suggests that rash words can cause deep emotional and spiritual wounds, similar to physical injuries inflicted by a sword. This concept is echoed in James 3:6, where the tongue is described as a fire capable of great destruction. The cultural context of the ancient Near East placed a high value on wisdom and careful speech, as seen in other wisdom literature like Ecclesiastes and the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the importance of words in Matthew 12:36-37. The idea of words as weapons is a recurring theme in Scripture, warning believers to guard their speech and use it for edification rather than harm. but the tongue of the wise brings healing Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His insights into human behavior and godly living are captured in the book of Proverbs. 2. The Wise In the context of Proverbs, the wise are those who fear the Lord and live according to His commandments. They are characterized by their understanding and prudent speech. 3. The Foolish Often contrasted with the wise, the foolish are those who reject wisdom and understanding, often leading to destructive behavior and speech. Teaching Points The Power of WordsWords have the power to harm or heal. Just as a sword can wound, so can reckless words. Conversely, wise words can bring comfort and restoration. The Importance of Wisdom Seeking wisdom is crucial for believers. Wisdom guides our speech, ensuring that our words reflect God's love and truth. Guarding Our Speech Believers are called to be mindful of their words, striving to speak in ways that build up rather than tear down. Healing Through Words Our speech should aim to bring healing and encouragement to others, reflecting the character of Christ in our interactions. Reflecting Christ in Communication As followers of Christ, our communication should be marked by grace, truth, and love, serving as a testimony to our faith.(18) There is that speaketh.--Rather, that babbleth, like the piercing of a sword, that chatters on, not noticing or caring how he may wound the feelings of others by his inconsiderate remarks. The tongue of the wise is health.--Or, healing; soothing the wounds made by the other's indiscriminate chatter. Verse 18. - There is that speaketh. The word implies speaking thoughtlessly, rashly; hence we may render, "a babbler," "prater." Such a one inflicts wounds with his senseless tattle. Like the piercings of a sword. The point of the simile is seen when we remember that the edge of the sword is called its "mouth" in the Hebrew (Genesis 34:26; Exodus 17:13, etc.; comp. Psalm 59:7; Psalm 64:3). The Greek gnome says -Ἀλλ οὐδὲν ἕρπει ψεῦδος εἰς γῆρας χρόνου "A sword the body wounds, a word the soul." Vulgate, est qui promittit, which restricts the scope of the clause to the making of vain promises (Leviticus 5:4; Numbers 30:7-9), continuing, et quasi gladio pungitur conscientiae, "And is pierced as it were by the sword of his conscience." where "conscience" is added to make the meaning plain. Such a man suffers remorse if he breaks his promise, or if, like Jephthah, he keeps it. The tongue of the wise is health; it does not pierce and wound like that of the chatterer, rather it soothes and heals even when it reproves (Proverbs 4:22; Proverbs 10:11). Hebrew Speaking rashlyבּ֭וֹטֶה (bō·w·ṭeh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 981: To babble, to vociferate angrily is like a piercing כְּמַדְקְר֣וֹת (kə·maḏ·qə·rō·wṯ) Preposition-k | Noun - feminine plural construct Strong's 4094: A piercing, stab, thrust sword, חָ֑רֶב (ḥā·reḇ) Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword but the tongue וּלְשׁ֖וֹן (ū·lə·šō·wn) Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct Strong's 3956: The tongue of the wise חֲכָמִ֣ים (ḥă·ḵā·mîm) Adjective - masculine plural Strong's 2450: Wise brings healing. מַרְפֵּֽא׃ (mar·pê) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4832: Curative, a medicine, a cure, deliverance, placidity Links Proverbs 12:18 NIVProverbs 12:18 NLT Proverbs 12:18 ESV Proverbs 12:18 NASB Proverbs 12:18 KJV Proverbs 12:18 BibleApps.com Proverbs 12:18 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 12:18 Chinese Bible Proverbs 12:18 French Bible Proverbs 12:18 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 12:18 There is one who speaks rashly like (Prov. 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