Proverbs 12:18
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 Version
A 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 Bible
There 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 Bible
There 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 1917
There 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 Wounds
Jump to Next
Healing Heals Health Makes Pierce Piercing Rash Rashly Reckless Speaker Speaketh Speaks Sword Talk Thrusts Tongue Uncontrolled Wise Words Wounds
Proverbs 12
1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge














There is one who speaks
This phrase introduces the concept of speech and its profound impact. In Hebrew, the word for "speaks" is "dabar," which implies not just the act of speaking but the power and authority behind words. Historically, speech has been a tool for both creation and destruction, as seen in the biblical account of God speaking the world into existence. This highlights the responsibility that comes with the ability to speak, urging believers to consider the weight of their words.

like the piercings of a sword
The imagery of a sword piercing is vivid and powerful, suggesting words that can cut deeply and cause harm. The Hebrew word "daqar" is used here, which means to pierce or thrust through. This metaphor emphasizes the potential for words to wound others, much like a physical weapon. In a historical context, swords were instruments of war and death, underscoring the destructive potential of harmful speech. This serves as a caution to believers to avoid reckless or malicious words that can damage relationships and communities.

but the tongue of the wise
The contrast introduced by "but" shifts the focus to the positive power of speech. The "tongue of the wise" refers to those who use their words with discernment and understanding. In Hebrew, "chakam" denotes wisdom that is not just intellectual but practical and moral. This wisdom is rooted in a fear of the Lord, as seen throughout the book of Proverbs. The wise person uses their speech to edify and uplift, reflecting the character of God in their interactions.

brings healing
The phrase "brings healing" conveys the restorative power of wise and kind words. The Hebrew word "marpe" means healing or cure, suggesting that words can mend what is broken. This aligns with the biblical theme of redemption and restoration, where God’s truth and love bring healing to a fallen world. In a scriptural context, Jesus is often depicted as a healer, both physically and spiritually, and believers are called to emulate this aspect of His ministry through their speech. Words that bring healing can repair relationships, soothe emotional wounds, and promote peace and understanding.

(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).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Speaking rashly
בּ֭וֹטֶה (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 NIV
Proverbs 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. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 12:17
Top of Page
Top of Page