Mishle 10:32

32 The sfatayim (lips) of the tzaddik know what is ratzon (acceptable), but the peh (mouth) of the resha’im speaketh tahpukhot (perversity).

Mishle 10:32 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:32

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable
To God and man; what is well pleasing to, God, and what ministers grace to the hearers, or what is grateful: and such things they will deliver out; they are used and accustomed to them; not only the righteous know in their judgment what is acceptable, but they use themselves to say those things; they not only know them in theory, but practise them: some men know what is acceptable, but their lips do not know it; they are not used to it, but the contrary; but the mouth of the wicked [speaketh] frowardness;
or perverse things, as before. Or, "the mouth of the wicked [knoweth] frowardness" F2; or perverse things; or is used only to speak froward things; things contrary to truth and righteousness, and which they know to be so; their mouth speaks things contrary to their hearts; their hearts and mouths do not agree, when they both flatter and lie.


FOOTNOTES:

F2 "Novit tantum perversa", Michaelis,

Mishle 10:32 In-Context

30 The tzaddik shall never be removed, but the resha’im shall not inhabit Eretz.
31 The peh (mouth) of the tzaddik bringeth forth chochmah, but the lashon tahpukhot (tongue of perversion, distortion) shall be cut off.
32 The sfatayim (lips) of the tzaddik know what is ratzon (acceptable), but the peh (mouth) of the resha’im speaketh tahpukhot (perversity).
The Orthodox Jewish Bible fourth edition, OJB. Copyright 2002,2003,2008,2010, 2011 by Artists for Israel International. All rights reserved.