Proverbs 8:7 - Printer Friendly

ESV: for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

NIV: My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness.

NASB: For my mouth will proclaim truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

CSB: For my mouth tells the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.

NLT: for I speak the truth and detest every kind of deception.

KJV: For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

NKJV: For my mouth will speak truth; Wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

This verse reinforces the fact that godly wisdom speaks only the truth. Personified as a woman, she also affirms that evil is something contrary to her message. Prior verses described wise words as "noble" (Proverbs 8:6), and upcoming statements will contrast truthful wisdom with speech that is "twisted" (Proverbs 8:8).

Jesus spoke only the truth. First Peter 2:22 affirms: "He committed no sin, neither was deceit found in his mouth." The Bible exhorts believers to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), and to speak the truth with our neighbors (Ephesians 4:25). In the same chapter, the apostle Paul commands: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear" (Ephesians 4:29). Colossians 3:8–9 exhorts: "But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Do not lie to one another." In his teaching on wisdom James points out: "From the same mouth come blessing and cursing." He argues: "My brothers, these things ought not to be so" (James 3:10).

Proverbs 8:1–11 comes immediately after a potent warning about a promiscuous, seductive woman. Here, Solomon again presents a woman, this time as wisdom personified (Proverbs 1:20). She calls from everywhere to men to learn prudence and sense. She cites the value of learning from her. Her words are noble, right, true, righteous, and honest. Wisdom is far greater than silver, choice gold, jewels, and everything else that can be compared with her.

In this passage, wisdom is once again imagined as a woman who cries out to be heard (Proverbs 1:20–21). Wisdom extols her own truth and value. Wisdom was part of God's creative power long before even the creation of the universe. The chapter again returns to the many benefits of godly wisdom, before completing those declarations at the start of the next chapter.

Thus far in Proverbs, Solomon has spoken about the virtues of wisdom and the need to acquire it and live by it. He has also warned about the dangers of rejecting wisdom. Chapter 7 ended with a description of a promiscuous woman seducing a foolish young man. Now, in chapter 8, he lets wisdom speak, once again personified as a woman. She speaks about her existence before creation and her gift of life to all who find her. This analogy continues into chapter 9.

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.