Proverbs 10:19 - Printer Friendly

ESV: When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

NIV: Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.

NASB: When there are many words, wrongdoing is unavoidable, But one who restrains his lips is wise.

CSB: When there are many words, sin is unavoidable, but the one who controls his lips is prudent.

NLT: Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

KJV: In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

NKJV: In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

According to Solomon, incessant talking leads to sin. This is not meant to be understood in a wooden, literal sense. Rather, the point is that a wise person knows when to stop talking. In fact, when in doubt, it's better not to speak than to say something one might regret later. Much advice is given in Scripture about the importance of controlling one's speech. This is not always easy. In English, in fact, a common reference to holding back one's words is "biting my tongue." The imagery is of keeping the tongue still and quiet, even if it requires some effort or pain.

The apostle James offers sound advice by exhorting, "Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger" (James 1:19). He portrays the tongue as a something tiny but powerful (James 3:5). He describes it further as "a fire, a world of unrighteousness" (James 3:6), untamable, and "a restless evil, full of deadly poison" (James 3:8). It is wise, therefore, to restrain our lips. James derides the hypocritical use of the tongue. He writes: "With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so" (James 3:9–10).

Paul admonishes the Ephesian believers to avoid sinning with the tongue. He writes: "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).

It's convicting to remember that our words are not self-generating. As Christ said (Matthew 15:18–19), what a person says is ultimately generated from their own heart, mind, and spirit (Luke 6:45). Keeping evil words "to ourselves" is better than letting them loose, but such thoughts still reflect an inner spiritual concern (Proverbs 10:20).

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.