Proverbs 18:20

20 People will be rewarded for what they say; they will be rewarded by how they speak.

Proverbs 18:20 Meaning and Commentary

Proverbs 18:20

A man's belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth,
&c.] With his own words and discourses, when they are prudent, pious, and savoury; when they are with grace, and minister it; they are satisfying to himself, to his own mind and conscience, and to his family; to all within his house, which is, as it were, his belly; but, if otherwise, it will not be profitable nor satisfying to either; and therefore, if a man would keep conscience easy, and be useful to others, he ought to take care what he says; see ( Proverbs 12:14 ) ( 13:2 ) ; [and] with the increase of his lips shall he be filled;
the same thing as before, expressed in different words, alluding to the sowing, of seed in the earth, and the increase of it; as a man sows he reaps, and enjoys the fruits of his labour; according to what a man sows with his lips, such is his harvest he is afterwards a partaker of.

Proverbs 18:20 In-Context

18 Throwing lots can settle arguments and keep the two sides from fighting.

19 A brother who has been insulted is harder to win back than a walled city, and arguments separate people like the barred gates of a palace.

20 People will be rewarded for what they say; they will be rewarded by how they speak.

21 What you say can mean life or death. Those who speak with care will be rewarded.

22 When a man finds a wife, he finds something good. It shows that the Lord is pleased with him.