Proverbs 10:32

32 The lips of a just man behold pleasant things; and the mouth of wicked men beholdeth wayward things. (The lips of the righteous always know what is kind, or pleasant, to say; but the mouths of the wicked speak forth only hurtful things.)

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.


FOOTNOTES:

F2 "Novit tantum perversa", Michaelis,

Proverbs 10:32 In-Context

30 A just man shall not be moved [into] without end; but wicked men shall not dwell on the earth. (The righteous shall not be moved forever; but the wicked shall not remain on the earth, or in the land.)
31 The mouth of a just man shall bring forth wisdom; the tongue of shrews shall perish. (The mouths of the righteous shall bring forth wisdom; and the tongues of the depraved shall be stopped.)
32 The lips of a just man behold pleasant things; and the mouth of wicked men beholdeth wayward things. (The lips of the righteous always know what is kind, or pleasant, to say; but the mouths of the wicked speak forth only hurtful things.)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.