Proverbs 18:20 - Printer Friendly

ESV: From the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips.

NIV: From the fruit of their mouth a person's stomach is filled; with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.

NASB: With the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

CSB: From the fruit of a person's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is filled with the product of his lips.

NLT: Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.

KJV: A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled.

NKJV: A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

Solomon emphasizes the importance of words in producing a good conscience. If a person's words are kind, gracious, and uplifting, he will benefit. His conscience will not trouble him, and his heart and mind will be at peace. A wise person (Proverbs 1:7; 10:19) is as careful about what he says as he is about what he eats. Good, healthful food serves the stomach well. It does not upset the stomach. Similarly, good, healthful words cause the conscience to be at peace.

Among other evils, Jesus referred to unhealthful words as defiling a person. He said: "Do you not see that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach and is expelled? But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this defiles a person. For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false witness, slander. These are what defile a person" (Matthew 15:17–20).

Proverbs 18:16–24 provides practical advice on a variety of matters. Other proverbs in this chapter are echoed in statements about objectivity and unity. Solomon addresses areas such as bribery, quarrels, reconciliation, the power of speech, marriage, and an unfortunate difference between the poor and the rich. The last remark in the section notes the difference between quality and quantity in friendships.

This segment of Solomon's wise sayings includes several well-known and often-repeated remarks. Among these are references to God's "name" as a place of safety, the connection between pride and catastrophe, the value of a godly spouse, and the intimate loyalty of a good friend. As in other parts of the book of Proverbs, these teachings are tied to warnings about the consequences of poor decisions.

Chapter 18 continues a long string of wise sayings attributed to Solomon. These began in chapter 10 and will continue through chapter 22. This section contains numerous references to fair-mindedness and seeking out truth from multiple sources. Diligent responsibility—in words, actions, and beliefs—is a notable emphasis in this segment.

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.

Accessed 5/4/2024 7:36:22 PM