Proverbs 24:26
 Proverbs 24:26 
New International Version (©2011)
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

New Living Translation (©2007)
An honest answer is like a kiss of friendship.

English Standard Version (©2001)
Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
He kisses the lips Who gives a right answer.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (©2009)
He who gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the lips.

International Standard Version (©2012)
A kiss on the lips— that's what someone who gives an honest answer deserves.

NET Bible (©2006)
Like a kiss on the lips is the one who gives an honest answer.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
And the lips will kiss those that reprove.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
Giving a straight answer is [like] a kiss on the lips.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
Every man shall kiss his lips who gives a right answer.

American King James Version
Every man shall kiss his lips that gives a right answer.

American Standard Version
He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.

Douay-Rheims Bible
He shall kiss the lips, who answereth right words.

Darby Bible Translation
He kisseth the lips who giveth a right answer.

English Revised Version
He kisseth the lips that giveth a right answer.

Webster's Bible Translation
Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

World English Bible
An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

Young's Literal Translation
Lips he kisseth who is returning straightforward words.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

24:17,18. The pleasure we are apt to take in the troubles of an enemy is forbidden. 19,20. Envy not the wicked their prosperity; be sure there is no true happiness in it. 21,22. The godly in the land, will be quiet in the land. There may be cause to change for the better, but have nothing to do with them that are given change. 23-26. The wisdom God giveth, renders a man fit for his station. Every one who finds the benefit of the right answer, will be attached to him that gave it. 27. We must prefer necessaries before conveniences, and not go in debt.


Pulpit Commentary

Verse 26. - A distich connected with the subject of the preceding paragraph. Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer; or better, he kisseth the lips who giveth a right answer. An answer that is fair and suitable to the circumstances is as pleasant and assuring to the bearers as a kiss on the lips. Such a salutation would be a natural sign of sympathy and affection. Thus Absalom won the hearts of the people by kissing those who came to court with their suits (2 Samuel 15:5). In Genesis 41:40, where the Authorized Version has, "According to thy word shall all my people be ruled," the Hebrew runs, "Thy mouth shall all my people kiss," i.e. they shall do homage to thee, which is another signification of this action. This, however, would not be suitable here, as the kiss is supposed to be given by the speaker, though the LXX. mistakenly translates, "But men will kiss lips that answer good words."


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer. Either as a witness to a question put to him in court, to which he answers aptly and uprightly; or rather as a judge, who, having heard a cause, answers and gives his opinion of it faithfully, and pronounces a righteous sentence; everyone will love and respect him, and hearken to him and obey him; both affection and obedience are signified by a kiss; see Psalm 2:12.


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

26. kiss his lips—love and obey, do homage (Ps 2:12; So 8:1).

right answer—literally, "plain words" (compare Pr 8:9), opposed to deceptive, or obscure.


Proverbs 24:26 Parallel Commentaries

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Further Sayings of the Wise
25But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come on them. 26Every man shall kiss his lips that gives a right answer. 27Prepare your work without, and make it fit for yourself in the field; and afterwards build your house. …

Proverbs 24:25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come on them.
Proverbs 24:27 Put your outdoor work in order and get your fields ready; after that, build your house.