Proverbs 15:4 - Forerunner Commentary

Proverbs 15:4

2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly,
^aBut the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness.

3 ^aThe eyes of the Lord are in every place,
Keeping watch on the evil and the good.

4 A¹ wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

5 ^aA fool despises his father’s instruction,
^bBut he who¹ receives correction is prudent.

6 In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
But in the revenue of the wicked is trouble.

7 The lips of the wise¹ disperse knowledge,
But the heart of the fool does not do so.

8 ^aThe sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.

Verse Comparison: Proverbs 15:4

American Standard Version
A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

Amplified® Bible
A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit.

Contemporary English Version
Kind words are good medicine, but deceitful words can really hurt.

Darby English Version
Gentleness of tongue is a tree of life; but crookedness therein is a breaking of the spirit.

Good News Bible
Kind words bring life, but cruel words crush your spirit.

King James Version
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

New American Standard Bible
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.

New International Version
The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life,
but a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

New King James Version
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life,
But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
A soothing tongue resembles a tree of life, But perversion in it crushes the spirit.

Revised Standard Version
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

Young's Literal Translation
A healed tongue `is' a tree of life, And perverseness in it -- a breach in the spirit.

New English Translation
Speech¹ that heals² is like³ a life-giving tree,⁴ but a perverse tongue⁵ breaks the spirit.