Proverbs 18:7
New International Version
The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives.

New Living Translation
The mouths of fools are their ruin; they trap themselves with their lips.

English Standard Version
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Berean Standard Bible
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

King James Bible
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

New King James Version
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

New American Standard Bible
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

NASB 1995
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

NASB 1977
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

Legacy Standard Bible
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

Amplified Bible
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

Christian Standard Bible
A fool’s mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A fool’s mouth is his devastation, and his lips are a trap for his life.

American Standard Version
A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

Contemporary English Version
Saying foolish things is like setting a trap to destroy yourself.

English Revised Version
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A fool's mouth is his ruin. His lips are a trap to his soul.

Good News Translation
When a fool speaks, he is ruining himself; he gets caught in the trap of his own words.

International Standard Version
A fool's mouth is his unraveling, and his lips entrap himself.

Majority Standard Bible
A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

NET Bible
The mouth of a fool is his ruin, and his lips are a snare for his life.

New Heart English Bible
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Webster's Bible Translation
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

World English Bible
A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The mouth of a fool [is] ruin to him, "" And his lips [are] the snare of his soul.

Young's Literal Translation
The mouth of a fool is ruin to him, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

Smith's Literal Translation
The mouth of the foolish is destruction to him, and his lips the snare of his soul.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The mouth of a fool is his destruction: and his lips are the ruin of his soul.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The mouth of the foolish is his destruction, and his own lips are the ruin of his soul.

New American Bible
The mouths of fools are their ruin; their lips are a deadly snare.

New Revised Standard Version
The mouths of fools are their ruin, and their lips a snare to themselves.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The mouth of the fool is ruin to his soul, and by his lips his soul is caught.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
A fool's mouth is his ruin, And his lips are the snare of his soul.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
6A fool’s lips bring him strife, and his mouth invites a beating. 7A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. 8The words of a gossip are like choice morsels that go down into the inmost being.…

Cross References
James 3:6
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.

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.”

Proverbs 10:14
The wise store up knowledge, but the mouth of the fool invites destruction.

Proverbs 12:13
An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.

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.

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

Psalm 64:8
They will be made to stumble, their own tongues turned against them. All who see will shake their heads.

Proverbs 6:2
if you have been trapped by the words of your lips, ensnared by the words of your mouth,

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

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

Proverbs 17:28
Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

Ecclesiastes 10:12-14
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him. / The beginning of his talk is folly, and the end of his speech is evil madness. / Yet the fool multiplies words. No one knows what is coming, and who can tell him what will come after him?

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

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.


Treasury of Scripture

A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.

his destruction

Proverbs 10:8,14
The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall…

Proverbs 12:13
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

Proverbs 13:3
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

his lips

Proverbs 6:2
Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.

Judges 11:35
And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back.

1 Samuel 14:24
And the men of Israel were distressed that day: for Saul had adjured the people, saying, Cursed be the man that eateth any food until evening, that I may be avenged on mine enemies. So none of the people tasted any food.

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Proverbs 18
1. A fool delights not in understanding














A fool’s mouth
The term "fool" in Hebrew is "kesil," which often refers to someone who is morally deficient or lacking in wisdom. In the context of Proverbs, a fool is not merely someone who lacks intelligence, but rather someone who rejects God's wisdom and guidance. The "mouth" of such a person is often the source of their downfall. In ancient Israel, as in many cultures, words held significant power. The mouth, as the instrument of speech, can either build up or destroy. The fool's mouth, therefore, is a metaphor for the reckless and thoughtless words that lead to personal destruction.

is his ruin
The Hebrew word for "ruin" is "mechittah," which implies destruction or downfall. This suggests that the consequences of a fool's words are not minor but catastrophic. In the biblical context, this ruin is not just physical or social but also spiritual. The fool's words can lead to broken relationships, loss of reputation, and ultimately, separation from God. The verse warns that the misuse of speech is a self-destructive act, emphasizing the importance of wisdom and discretion in communication.

and his lips
"Lips" in Hebrew is "saphah," which can refer to the boundary or edge of something, symbolizing the threshold of speech. The lips are the final barrier before words are released into the world. This imagery highlights the responsibility one has to guard their speech. In the biblical tradition, the lips are often associated with truth and integrity. The fool's lips, however, betray a lack of self-control and wisdom, leading to negative consequences.

are a snare
The word "snare" in Hebrew is "mowqesh," which refers to a trap or a device used for capturing prey. This imagery suggests that the fool's words are not just harmful but also deceptive and entangling. A snare is something that catches one unexpectedly, indicating that the fool may not even be aware of the danger their words pose. In a broader biblical context, snares are often associated with sin and temptation, warning believers to be vigilant and discerning.

to his soul
"Soul" in Hebrew is "nephesh," which encompasses the whole being of a person, including their life, mind, and spirit. The use of "soul" here underscores the profound impact that words can have, reaching beyond the physical to affect one's spiritual and emotional well-being. In the conservative Christian perspective, the soul is eternal and of utmost importance. Therefore, the verse serves as a caution that careless or harmful speech can have eternal consequences, urging believers to seek wisdom and align their words with God's truth.

(7) A fool's mouth is his destruction.--See above on Proverbs 12:13.

Verse 7. - The results of the fool's disposition and actions are further noted. A fool's mouth is his destruction (comp. Proverbs 10:15; Proverbs 13:9; Ecclesiastes 10:12). A mediaeval adage pronounces, "Ex lingua stulta veniunt incommoda multa." His lips are the snare of his soul; bring his life into danger (see on Proverbs 12:13; comp. Proverbs 13:14; Proverbs 14:27; Proverbs 17:28). So St. Luke (Luke 21:35) speaks of the last day, coming upon men like "a snare (παγίς)," the word used by the Septuagint in this passage.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
A fool’s
כְ֭סִיל (ḵə·sîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool

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

is his ruin,
מְחִתָּה־ (mə·ḥit·tāh-)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4288: A dissolution, a ruin, consternation

and his lips
וּ֝שְׂפָתָ֗יו (ū·śə·p̄ā·ṯāw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

[are] a snare
מוֹקֵ֥שׁ (mō·w·qêš)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4170: A bait or lure, a snare

to his soul.
נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:7 A fool's mouth is his destruction (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 18:6
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