Proverbs 17:7 - Forerunner Commentary

Proverbs 17:7

5 ^aHe who mocks the poor reproaches his Maker;
^bHe who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

6 ^aChildren’s children are the crown of old men,
And the glory of children is their father.

7 Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,
Much less lying lips to a prince.

8 A present is a precious stone in the eyes of its possessor;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.

9 ^aHe who covers a transgression seeks love,
But ^bhe who repeats a matter separates friends.

10 ^aRebuke is more effective for a wise man
Than a hundred blows on a fool.

11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;
Therefore a cruel messenger will be sent against him.

12 Let a man meet ^aa bear robbed of her cubs,
Rather than a fool in his folly.

13 Whoever ^arewards evil for good,
Evil will not depart from his house.

14 The beginning of strife is like releasing water;
Therefore ^astop contention before a quarrel starts.

15 ^aHe who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just,
Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord.

16 Why is there in the hand of a fool the purchase price of wisdom,
Since he has no heart for it?

17 ^aA friend loves at all times,
And a brother is born for adversity.

18 ^aA man devoid of¹ understanding shakes hands in a pledge,
And becomes¹ surety for his friend.

19 He who loves transgression loves strife,
And ^ahe who exalts his gate seeks destruction.

20 He who has a¹ deceitful heart finds no good,
And he who has ^aa perverse tongue falls into evil.

21 He who begets a scoffer does so to his sorrow,
And the father of a fool has no joy.

22 A ^amerry heart does good, like medicine,
But a broken spirit dries the bones.

23 A wicked man accepts a bribe¹ behind the back
To pervert the ways of justice.

Verse Comparison: Proverbs 17:7

American Standard Version
Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

Amplified® Bible
Fine {or} arrogant speech does not befit [an empty-headed] fool--much less do lying lips befit a prince.

Contemporary English Version
It sounds strange for a fool to talk sensibly, but it's even worse for a ruler to tell lies.

Darby English Version
Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!

Good News Bible
Respected people do not tell lies, and fools have nothing worthwhile to say.

King James Version
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

New American Standard Bible
Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince.

New International Version
Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool—
how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

New King James Version
Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,
Much less lying lips to a prince.

N.A.S.B. in E-Prime
Excellent speech does not befit a fool, Much less when a prince lies.

Revised Standard Version
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.

Young's Literal Translation
Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.

New English Translation
Excessive¹ speech² is not becoming for a fool;³ how much less are lies⁴ for a ruler!⁵