Proverbs 10:31 - Printer Friendly

ESV: The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.

NIV: From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be silenced.

NASB: The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, But the perverted tongue will be cut out.

CSB: The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

NLT: The mouth of the godly person gives wise advice, but the tongue that deceives will be cut off.

KJV: The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

NKJV: The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, But the perverse tongue will be cut out.

Proverbs connects legitimate wisdom with a reverent humility before God (Proverbs 1:7, 10:27). Common sense indicates that what a person believes will influence how they speak and act (Luke 6:43–45). Just as a productive field generates good crops, a wise person's lips produce valuable, truthful words. A wise person gives good advice. He helps to guide the actions of those who seek direction in life. He praises God, thanks Him for His blessings, encourages the weak, comforts the afflicted, and corrects those who are going astray. He points the way to God by presenting Jesus Christ as "the way, and the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). He teaches God's Word as it is to people as they are.

The wicked person lacks wisdom. His speech is described here as "perverse." This is from a Hebrew word used elsewhere in Proverbs for something twisted, immoral, or warped (Proverbs 2:12; 6:14; 8:13; 10:32). He profanes God and insults others. He swears and tells jokes that only seem funny because they are filthy. He lies and twists the truth for personal gain. He peddles false doctrine.

However, someday the speech of these godless, evil people will be silenced, and their perverse words will end. The wicked will be held accountable for what they say. Jesus said, "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matthew 12:36–37). Even more dramatic, those who use their words to insult God will one day be forced to speak a confession of His sovereignty (Isaiah 45:23; Romans 14:11–12).

Proverbs 10:11–32 contrasts the righteous and the wicked, focusing on their different speech patterns, their different lifestyles, their different attitudes, and their different destinies. Verses 21 through 27 are especially focused on the different results which can be expected from pursuing godliness, versus pursuing sin.

This chapter begins 375 "proverbs," which are general-case lessons or observations. These wise remarks continue the discussion of wisdom and wickedness begun in chapters 1—9. Most of the verses in chapter 10 contain a sharp contrast, with the conjunction "but" separating the lines. Often, the subject changes from verse to verse. The contrasting subjects include sons, treasure, work ethic, reputation, relationships, success, and speech.

In Proverbs 7—9 Solomon contrasts wisdom and wickedness in the symbolic persons of Lady Wisdom and Woman Folly. He calls upon his sons, or students, to choose wisdom, and he points out the benefits of choosing wisdom and the disastrous results of choosing wickedness. Chapter 10 presents vivid contrasts between wisdom and wickedness in many of life's settings. These comparisons continue into chapter 11.

Proverbs is best understood in context with the books of Ecclesiastes and Job. In Proverbs, “wisdom” is given in short, simple, general terms. Ecclesiastes represents wisdom based on observation and experience. This often shows how the general principles of the book of Proverbs don’t apply in absolutely every circumstance. Job represents wisdom based on the experience of suffering and injustice. All three come to the conclusion that God does indeed know best, and the most sensible course of action is to follow His will.