Proverbs 22:18

18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.

Proverbs 22:18 in Other Translations

KJV
18 For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
ESV
18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, if all of them are ready on your lips.
NLT
18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.
MSG
18 you'll give it bold expression in your speech.
CSB
18 For it is pleasing if you keep them within you and if they are constantly on your lips.

Proverbs 22:18 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 22:18

For [it is] a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee,
&c.] Or, "in thy belly" F1. That is, in thine heart, in the inmost recesses of it; where the words or doctrines of the wise should be received in the love of them, and carefully laid up and retained; which will upon reflection yield much pleasure, like Ezekiel's roll, which was in his belly as honey for sweetness; and which also is very profitable as an antidote against sin, ( Psalms 119:11 ) ; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips;
become them, and be suitable and graceful to them: or, "shall be ordered [and disposed] in" or "by thy lips" F2; being received into the heart, and digested there, they shall easily and freely go off the tongue, which shall be as the pen of a ready writer; they shall be delivered in a regular manner, with great liberty and facility; by a good digestion of Gospel truths, and a comfortable experience of them, persons become apt to teach others.


FOOTNOTES:

F1 (Knjbb) "in ventre tuo", V. L. Montanus, Junius & Tremellius, Mercerus, Cocceius, Gejerus, Michaelis, Schultens.
F2 (wnwk) "disponantur", Vatablus.

Proverbs 22:18 In-Context

16 One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.
17 Pay attention and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach,
18 for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.
19 So that your trust may be in the LORD, I teach you today, even you.
20 Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,
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