Proverbs 20:15

15 There is gold and abundance of ¹costly stones, ²but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Proverbs 20:15 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 20:15

There is gold, and a multitude of rubies
A man may have a large quantity of either, or of both of thorn, as some men have; for there is much of them in the world, not only in mines and quarries, but in the houses and cabinets of men; but the lips of knowledge [are] a precious jewel;
knowledge even of things natural, and a gift of elocution to express it by, are a rare jewel, and much more precious than gold and rubies, than a multitude of them; these are not to be mentioned with it, it is not equalled by them, it is greatly superior to them; see ( Job 28:12-19 ) ; and much more spiritual knowledge, and a capacity of expressing that to the edification of others; and especially Christ, the Wisdom of God, and the knowledge of him, who is more precious than rubies, and all desirable things, in comparison of which all things are loss and dung, ( Proverbs 3:14 Proverbs 3:15 ) ( Philippians 3:8 ) .

Proverbs 20:15 In-Context

13 Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.

14 "Bad, bad," says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.

15 There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

16 Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.

17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.

Cross References

• 1. Job 28:18
• 2. [Proverbs 3:14, 15]