Proverbs 10:11

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 10:11 in Other Translations

KJV
11 The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
ESV
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
NLT
11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
MSG
11 The mouth of a good person is a deep, life-giving well, but the mouth of the wicked is a dark cave of abuse.
CSB
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Proverbs 10:11 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 10:11

The mouth of a righteous [man is] a well of life
Like a fountain of living water, continually running and flowing with water, wholesome, reviving, and refreshing; so the righteous man's mouth, out of the abundance of his heart, overflows with good things, which minister grace to the hearers, and are for the use of edifying; things that are pleasant and profitable, grateful and acceptable, comforting, refreshing, and pleasing, and which tend to the good of the life that now is, and that which is to come; but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked;
so that nothing comes out of it but what is pernicious and hurtful; what savours of rapine and violence; nothing but lying and deceit, cursing and swearing, and such like filthy and corrupt communication; (See Gill on Proverbs 10:6). The Targum is, "the mouth of the ungodly covers injury"; which is meditated in the heart; so the Vulgate Latin version.

Proverbs 10:11 In-Context

9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
10 Whoever winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
12 Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.

Cross References 2

  • 1. ver 27; Psalms 37:30; S Proverbs 3:18; S Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 11:30; Proverbs 13:12,14,19; Proverbs 14:27; Proverbs 15:4; Proverbs 16:22
  • 2. S ver 6
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