Proverbs 22:18

18 quae pulchra erit tibi cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo et redundabit in labiis tuis

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 qui calumniatur pauperem ut augeat divitias suas dabit ipse ditiori et egebit
17 inclina aurem tuam et audi verba sapientium adpone autem cor ad doctrinam meam
18 quae pulchra erit tibi cum servaveris eam in ventre tuo et redundabit in labiis tuis
19 ut sit in Domino fiducia tua unde et ostendi eam tibi hodie
20 ecce descripsi eam tibi tripliciter in cogitationibus et scientia
The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain.