Proverbs 19:28
New International Version
A corrupt witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

New Living Translation
A corrupt witness makes a mockery of justice; the mouth of the wicked gulps down evil.

English Standard Version
A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

Berean Standard Bible
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

King James Bible
An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

New King James Version
A disreputable witness scorns justice, And the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

New American Standard Bible
A worthless witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked swallows wrongdoing.

NASB 1995
A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.

NASB 1977
A rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.

Legacy Standard Bible
A vile witness scoffs at justice, And the mouth of the wicked swallows up iniquity.

Amplified Bible
A wicked and worthless witness mocks justice, And the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.

Christian Standard Bible
A worthless witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A worthless witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

American Standard Version
A worthless witness mocketh at justice; And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.

Contemporary English Version
A lying witness makes fun of the court system, and criminals think crime is really delicious.

English Revised Version
A worthless witness mocketh at judgment: and the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A worthless witness mocks justice, and the mouths of wicked people swallow up trouble.

Good News Translation
There is no justice where a witness is determined to hurt someone. Wicked people love the taste of evil.

International Standard Version
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the wicked person feeds on iniquity.

Majority Standard Bible
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.

NET Bible
A crooked witness scorns justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

New Heart English Bible
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.

Webster's Bible Translation
An ungodly witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

World English Bible
A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A worthless witness scorns judgment, "" And the mouth of the wicked swallows iniquity.

Young's Literal Translation
A worthless witness scorneth judgment, And the mouth of the wicked swalloweth iniquity.

Smith's Literal Translation
A witness of Belial shall mock judgment: and the mouth of the unjust will swallow down iniquity.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
An unjust witness scorneth judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

Catholic Public Domain Version
An unjust witness ridicules judgment. And the mouth of the impious devours iniquity.

New American Bible
An unprincipled witness scoffs at justice, and the mouth of the wicked pours out iniquity.

New Revised Standard Version
A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
An ungodly witness scorns justice; and the mouth of the wicked devours him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
An evil witness is loud in judgment, and the mouth of the evil swallows him up.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
An ungodly witness mocketh at right; And the mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He that becomes surety for a foolish child will despise the ordinance: and the mouth of ungodly men shall drink down judgement.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Man of Integrity
27If you cease to hear instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge. 28A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity. 29Judgments are prepared for mockers, and beatings for the backs of fools.…

Cross References
Psalm 10:7
His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue.

Isaiah 59:3-4
For your hands are stained with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters injustice. / No one calls for justice; no one pleads his case honestly. They rely on empty pleas; they tell lies; they conceive mischief and give birth to iniquity.

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. ...

James 3:6-8
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, / but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

Psalm 58:3-4
The wicked are estranged from the womb; the liars go astray from birth. / Their venom is like the venom of a snake, like a cobra that shuts its ears,

Romans 3:13-14
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” / “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”

Isaiah 5:23
who acquit the guilty for a bribe and deprive the innocent of justice.

Micah 7:3
Both hands are skilled at evil; the prince and the judge demand a bribe. When the powerful utters his evil desire, they all conspire together.

Matthew 15:18-19
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. / For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Jeremiah 5:26-28
For among My people are wicked men; they watch like fowlers lying in wait; they set a trap to catch men. / Like cages full of birds, so their houses are full of deceit. Therefore they have become powerful and rich. / They have grown fat and sleek, and have excelled in the deeds of the wicked. They have not taken up the cause of the fatherless, that they might prosper; nor have they defended the rights of the needy.

Hosea 4:1-2
Hear the word of the LORD, O children of Israel, for the LORD has a case against the people of the land: “There is no truth, no loving devotion, and no knowledge of God in the land! / Cursing and lying, murder and stealing, and adultery are rampant; one act of bloodshed follows another.

1 Timothy 4:2
influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron.

Psalm 12:2-4
They lie to one another; they speak with flattering lips and a double heart. / May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue. / They say, “With our tongues we will prevail. We own our lips—who can be our master?”

Isaiah 32:6
For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink.

2 Peter 2:3
In their greed, these false teachers will exploit you with deceptive words. The longstanding verdict against them remains in force, and their destruction does not sleep.


Treasury of Scripture

An ungodly witness scorns judgment: and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity.

1 Kings 21:10,13
And set two men, sons of Belial, before him, to bear witness against him, saying, Thou didst blaspheme God and the king. And then carry him out, and stone him, that he may die…

Acts 6:11-13
Then they suborned men, which said, We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses, and against God…

scorneth

Psalm 10:5,11
His ways are always grievous; thy judgments are far above out of his sight: as for all his enemies, he puffeth at them…

Isaiah 28:14-18
Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem…

Luke 18:2-4
Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: …

the

Proverbs 15:14
The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge: but the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.

Job 15:16
How much more abominable and filthy is man, which drinketh iniquity like water?

Job 20:12,13
Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, though he hide it under his tongue; …

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Corrupt Decision Devoureth Devours Evil Evil-Doers Good-For-Nothing Iniquity Judge's Judgment Justice Makes Mockery Mocketh Mocks Mouth Right Scorneth Sends Sport Spreads Stream Swalloweth Ungodly Wicked Witness Worthless
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Corrupt Decision Devoureth Devours Evil Evil-Doers Good-For-Nothing Iniquity Judge's Judgment Justice Makes Mockery Mocketh Mocks Mouth Right Scorneth Sends Sport Spreads Stream Swalloweth Ungodly Wicked Witness Worthless
Proverbs 19
1. Life and Conduct














A corrupt witness mocks justice
A corrupt witness refers to someone who deliberately provides false testimony, undermining the judicial process. In ancient Israel, justice was a foundational principle, with the legal system designed to reflect God's righteousness. The ninth commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor" (Exodus 20:16), underscores the importance of truthfulness. False testimony could lead to severe consequences, including the miscarriage of justice and the punishment of the innocent. The Hebrew legal system required multiple witnesses to establish a matter (Deuteronomy 19:15), highlighting the seriousness of truthful testimony. The act of mocking justice by a corrupt witness is a direct affront to God's character, as He is depicted as a just judge throughout Scripture (Psalm 9:7-8). This phrase also connects to the trial of Jesus, where false witnesses were brought against Him (Matthew 26:59-61), illustrating the ultimate miscarriage of justice.

and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity
A wicked mouth represents speech that is deceitful, slanderous, or harmful. Iniquity refers to moral wrongdoing or sin. The imagery of swallowing iniquity suggests an eagerness or willingness to embrace and perpetuate sin through one's words. In the cultural context of the Bible, speech was considered a powerful tool that could either build up or destroy (Proverbs 18:21). The wicked mouth is contrasted with the righteous speech that brings life and healing (Proverbs 12:18). This phrase warns against the dangers of using one's words to promote evil, as seen in the broader biblical narrative where the tongue is described as a "restless evil" (James 3:8). The connection to other scriptures, such as Psalm 5:9, which describes the deceitful nature of the wicked, reinforces the idea that God values integrity and truth in speech. The ultimate example of righteous speech is found in Jesus Christ, whose words were always aligned with truth and grace (John 1:14).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Corrupt Witness
This refers to an individual who gives false testimony, thereby perverting justice. In the context of ancient Israel, witnesses played a crucial role in legal proceedings, and their integrity was vital for justice to be served.

2. Justice
A central theme in the Bible, justice represents fairness and righteousness. In Hebrew, the word for justice is "mishpat," which encompasses the idea of God's order and moral law.

3. The Wicked
This term describes those who live in opposition to God's commandments, often characterized by deceit and immorality.

4. Iniquity
Iniquity refers to gross injustice or wickedness. The Hebrew word "avon" implies a twisting or perversion of what is right.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Truthfulness
As followers of Christ, we are called to be people of truth. Bearing false witness not only harms others but also dishonors God, who is the ultimate judge of all.

Guarding Our Speech
Our words have power. We must be vigilant to ensure that our speech reflects righteousness and not wickedness. This includes avoiding gossip, slander, and deceit.

The Consequences of Injustice
Injustice leads to societal decay. As Christians, we should advocate for justice and righteousness in our communities, reflecting God's heart for fairness and equity.

Self-Examination
We must regularly examine our own hearts and actions to ensure we are not partaking in or supporting iniquity. Repentance and seeking God's guidance are crucial.

Influence of the Wicked
Be aware of the influence of the wicked around us. We must stand firm in our faith and not be swayed by those who mock justice and embrace sin.(28) An ungodly (worthless) witness scorneth judgment.--Despises the orders of the Law to avoid perjury (Exodus 20:16; Leviticus 5:1). (Comp. 1Kings 8:31).

The mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity.--As a dainty morsel. (Comp. Proverbs 18:8.)

Verse 28. - An ungodly (worthless) witness scorneth judgment; derides the Law which denounces perjury and compels a witness to speak truth (Exodus 20:16; Leviticus 5:1), and, as is implied he bears false testimony, thus proving himself "a witness of Belial," according to the Hebrew term. Septuagint, "He who becometh security for a foolish child outrages judgment." The mouth of the wicked devoureth iniquity; swallows it eagerly as a toothsome morsel (Proverbs 18:8). So we have in Job 15:16,"A man that drinketh iniquity like water" (see on Proverbs 26:6). Such a man will lie and slander with the utmost pleasure, living and battening on wickedness. Septuagint, "The mouth of the impious drinketh judgments (κρίσεις)," i.e. boldly transgresses the Law.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A corrupt
בְּ֭לִיַּעַל (bə·lî·ya·‘al)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1100: Without profit, worthlessness, destruction, wickedness

witness
עֵ֣ד (‘êḏ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince

mocks
יָלִ֣יץ (yā·lîṣ)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3887: Ambassador, have in derision, interpreter, make a mock, mocker

justice,
מִשְׁפָּ֑ט (miš·pāṭ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4941: A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style

and a wicked
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים (rə·šā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

mouth
וּפִ֥י (ū·p̄î)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

swallows
יְבַלַּע־ (yə·ḇal·la‘-)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1104: To swallow down, swallow up, engulf

iniquity.
אָֽוֶן׃ (’ā·wen)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 205: Strictly nothingness, trouble, vanity, wickedness, an idol


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