Job 27:4
New International Version
my lips will not say anything wicked, and my tongue will not utter lies.

New Living Translation
my lips will speak no evil, and my tongue will speak no lies.

English Standard Version
my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.

Berean Standard Bible
my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will not utter deceit.

King James Bible
My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

New King James Version
My lips will not speak wickedness, Nor my tongue utter deceit.

New American Standard Bible
My lips certainly will not speak unjustly, Nor will my tongue mutter deceit.

NASB 1995
My lips certainly will not speak unjustly, Nor will my tongue mutter deceit.

NASB 1977
My lips certainly will not speak unjustly, Nor will my tongue mutter deceit.

Legacy Standard Bible
My lips certainly will not speak unrighteousness, Nor will my tongue utter deceit.

Amplified Bible
My lips will not speak unjustly, Nor will my tongue utter deceit.

Christian Standard Bible
my lips will not speak unjustly, and my tongue will not utter deceit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
my lips will not speak unjustly, and my tongue will not utter deceit.

American Standard Version
Surely my lips shall not speak uprighteousness, Neither shall my tongue utter deceit.

Contemporary English Version
I will tell only the truth.

English Revised Version
Surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness, neither shall my tongue utter deceit.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
my lips will not say anything wrong, and my tongue will not mumble anything deceitful.'

Good News Translation
my lips will never say anything evil, my tongue will never tell a lie.

International Standard Version
I won't speak lies nor will I utter deceit.

Majority Standard Bible
my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will not utter deceit.

NET Bible
my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will whisper no deceit.

New Heart English Bible
surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness, neither shall my tongue utter deceit.

Webster's Bible Translation
My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

World English Bible
surely my lips will not speak unrighteousness, neither will my tongue utter deceit.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
My lips do not speak perverseness, "" And my tongue does not utter deceit.

Young's Literal Translation
My lips do not speak perverseness, And my tongue doth not utter deceit.

Smith's Literal Translation
If my lips shall speak iniquity, and my tongue if it shall murmur deceit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
My lips shall not speak iniquity, neither shall my tongue contrive lying.

Catholic Public Domain Version
my lips will not speak iniquity, nor will my tongue devise lies.

New American Bible
My lips shall not speak falsehood, nor my tongue utter deceit!

New Revised Standard Version
my lips will not speak falsehood, and my tongue will not utter deceit.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
My lips will not speak evil and my tongue will not speak deceit
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness, Neither shall my tongue utter deceit;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
my lips shall not speak evil words, neither shall my soul meditate unrighteous thoughts.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Job Affirms His Integrity
3as long as my breath is still within me and the breath of God remains in my nostrils, 4my lips will not speak wickedness, and my tongue will not utter deceit. 5I will never say that you are right; I will maintain my integrity until I die.…

Cross References
Psalm 34:13
Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

Psalm 39:1
For the choirmaster. For Jeduthun. A Psalm of David. I said, “I will watch my ways so that I will not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are present.”

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

Proverbs 4:24
Put away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.

Proverbs 6:12
A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth,

Proverbs 12:19
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.

Proverbs 15:4
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

Isaiah 53:9
He was assigned a grave with the wicked, and with a rich man in His death, although He had done no violence, nor was any deceit in His mouth.

Zephaniah 3:13
The remnant of Israel will no longer do wrong or speak lies, nor will a deceitful tongue be found in their mouths. But they will feed and lie down, with no one to make them tremble.”

Matthew 12:34-37
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. / But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ...

Matthew 15:11
A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

Matthew 15:18
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man.

Luke 6:45
The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.


Treasury of Scripture

My lips shall not speak wickedness, nor my tongue utter deceit.

Job 13:7
Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?

Job 34:6
Should I lie against my right? my wound is incurable without transgression.

John 8:55
Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying.

Jump to Previous
Deceit False. Falsehood Lips Mutter Perverseness Speak Surely Tongue Unjustly Unrighteousness Utter Wickedness
Jump to Next
Deceit False. Falsehood Lips Mutter Perverseness Speak Surely Tongue Unjustly Unrighteousness Utter Wickedness
Job 27
1. Job protests his sincerity
8. The hypocrite is without hope
11. The blessings which the wicked have are turned into curses














My lips
The phrase "my lips" in Hebrew is "שְׂפָתַי" (s'fatay). In the ancient Near Eastern context, the lips were often seen as the gateway to one's inner thoughts and character. Job's assertion here emphasizes personal integrity and the control over one's speech. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the importance of guarding one's words, as the lips are instruments of both blessing and cursing (James 3:10). The lips, therefore, are a reflection of the heart's purity and commitment to righteousness.

will not speak
The Hebrew verb "אֲדַבֵּר" (adabber) is used here, which means "to speak" or "to declare." This verb is in the imperfect tense, indicating a continuous or repeated action. Job is making a resolute commitment to refrain from speaking in a manner that is contrary to God's standards. This reflects a deep-seated determination to uphold truth and righteousness, aligning with the biblical principle that our words should be seasoned with grace and truth (Colossians 4:6).

wickedness
The term "wickedness" is translated from the Hebrew word "עַוְלָה" (avlah), which denotes injustice, unrighteousness, or moral wrong. In the context of Job's discourse, he is distancing himself from any form of moral corruption or evil speech. This is significant in the conservative Christian view, as it underscores the call to holiness and the rejection of sin in all its forms. Job's commitment to not speak wickedness is a testament to his desire to live a life pleasing to God, even amidst suffering.

and my tongue
The phrase "and my tongue" in Hebrew is "וּלְשׁוֹנִי" (ul'shoni). The tongue, much like the lips, is a powerful symbol in biblical literature, often associated with the ability to build up or destroy (Proverbs 18:21). Job's mention of his tongue signifies his awareness of the power of speech and his responsibility to use it wisely. In a conservative Christian context, this serves as a reminder of the importance of self-control and the impact of our words on others and our relationship with God.

will not utter
The Hebrew verb "יֶהְגֶּה" (yehgeh) means "to utter" or "to meditate." This verb suggests a thoughtful and deliberate action, indicating that Job is consciously choosing not to allow deceit to be part of his speech. The conservative Christian perspective values this intentionality, as it reflects a heart committed to truth and transparency, aligning with the biblical exhortation to let our "yes" be "yes" and our "no" be "no" (Matthew 5:37).

deceit
The word "deceit" is translated from the Hebrew "מִרְמָה" (mirmah), which refers to deception, fraud, or treachery. In the context of Job's declaration, he is affirming his integrity and commitment to truthfulness, even when falsely accused by his friends. This is a powerful testament to his character and faithfulness to God. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this highlights the call to live authentically and truthfully, reflecting the nature of Christ, who is the embodiment of truth (John 14:6). Job's stance against deceit serves as an inspiration to uphold truth in all circumstances, trusting in God's ultimate justice and righteousness.

Verse 4. - My lips shall not speak wickedness. Nothing shall induce him, Job says, to speak knowingly wicked words. Nor my tongue utter deceit. Neither will he be induced, whatever happens, to utter untruth. A confession of guilt, such as his friends have endeavoured to extort from him, would be both wicked and false.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
my lips
שְׂפָתַ֣י (śə·p̄ā·ṯay)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

will not
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

speak
תְּדַבֵּ֣רְנָה (tə·ḏab·bê·rə·nāh)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person feminine plural
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

wickedness,
עַוְלָ֑ה (‘aw·lāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 5766: Injustice, unrighteousness

and my tongue
וּ֝לְשׁוֹנִ֗י (ū·lə·šō·w·nî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct | first person common singular
Strong's 3956: The tongue

will not
אִם־ (’im-)
Conjunction
Strong's 518: Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, not

utter
יֶהְגֶּ֥ה (yeh·geh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1897: To moan, growl, utter, speak, muse

deceit.
רְמִיָּֽה׃ (rə·mî·yāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 7423: Remissness, treachery


Links
Job 27:4 NIV
Job 27:4 NLT
Job 27:4 ESV
Job 27:4 NASB
Job 27:4 KJV

Job 27:4 BibleApps.com
Job 27:4 Biblia Paralela
Job 27:4 Chinese Bible
Job 27:4 French Bible
Job 27:4 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Job 27:4 Surely my lips shall not speak unrighteousness (Jb)
Job 27:3
Top of Page
Top of Page