Proverbs 10:32

32 The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate, but the mouth of the wicked, [only] what is perverse.^[a]

Proverbs 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.

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FOOTNOTES:

F2 "Novit tantum perversa", Michaelis,

Proverbs 10:32 In-Context

30 The righteous will never be shaken, but the wicked will not remain on the earth.

31 The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is appropriate, but the mouth of the wicked, [only] what is perverse.

Footnotes

• [a] Pr 10:20; 15:28