Proverbs 10:11
New International Version
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

New Living Translation
The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain; the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

English Standard Version
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Berean Standard Bible
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

King James Bible
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

New King James Version
The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, But violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

New American Standard Bible
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

NASB 1995
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

NASB 1977
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Legacy Standard Bible
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, But the mouth of the wicked covers up violence.

Amplified Bible
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life and his words of wisdom are a source of blessing, But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence and evil.

Christian Standard Bible
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

American Standard Version
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life; But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

Contemporary English Version
The words of good people are a source of life, but evil hides behind the words of the wicked.

English Revised Version
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The mouth of a righteous person is a fountain of life, but the mouths of wicked people conceal violence.

Good News Translation
A good person's words are a fountain of life, but a wicked person's words hide a violent nature.

International Standard Version
What the righteous say is a flowing fountain, but what the wicked say conceals violence.

Majority Standard Bible
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

NET Bible
The teaching of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the speech of the wicked conceals violence.

New Heart English Bible
The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

Webster's Bible Translation
The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

World English Bible
The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A fountain of life [is] the mouth of the righteous, "" And the mouth of the wicked covers violence.

Young's Literal Translation
A fountain of life is the mouth of the righteous, And the mouth of the wicked cover doth violence.

Smith's Literal Translation
A fountain of life the mouth of the just one: and violence shall cover the mouth of the unjust.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The mouth of the just is a vein of life: and the mouth of the wicked covereth iniquity.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The mouth of the just is a vein of life. And the mouth of the impious covers iniquity.

New American Bible
The mouth of the just is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

New Revised Standard Version
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The mouth of a righteous man is a fountain of life; but the mouth of the wicked is covered with iniquity.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, and the mouths of the evil will hide evil.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life; But the mouth of the wicked concealeth violence.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
There is a fountain of life in the hand of a righteous man; but destruction shall cover the mouth of the ungodly.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Proverbs: The Wise Son
10He who winks the eye causes grief, and foolish lips will come to ruin. 11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. 12Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all transgressions.…

Cross References
James 3:10-12
Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! / Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? / My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

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. ...

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Psalm 37:30
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

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

Proverbs 18:4
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.

Proverbs 13:14
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.

John 7:38
Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said: ‘Streams of living water will flow from within him.’”

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.

1 Peter 3:10
For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.

Proverbs 12:18
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 18:21
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Psalm 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.


Treasury of Scripture

The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.

mouth

Proverbs 10:20,21,32
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth…

Proverbs 13:14
The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

Proverbs 15:7
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

but

Psalm 107:42
The righteous shall see it, and rejoice: and all iniquity shall stop her mouth.

Ecclesiastes 10:12-14
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself…

Matthew 12:34-37
O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh…

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Bitter Concealeth Conceals Cover Covereth Covers Cup Evil-Doer Fountain Life Mouth Overwhelms Righteous Spring Upright Violence Wicked
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Proverbs 10
1. Proverbs of Solomon: observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices














The mouth of the righteous
This phrase emphasizes the source of wisdom and life-giving words. In Hebrew, "mouth" (פֶּה, peh) often symbolizes speech or communication. The "righteous" (צַדִּיק, tsaddiq) refers to those who live in accordance with God's laws and principles. Historically, the righteous were seen as those who upheld justice and integrity, reflecting God's character. Their words are not just idle talk but are imbued with divine wisdom and guidance, serving as a conduit for God's truth.

is a fountain of life
The imagery of a "fountain" (מָקוֹר, maqor) suggests a continuous, abundant source of refreshment and sustenance. In ancient times, fountains or springs were vital for survival, especially in arid regions. Thus, the words of the righteous are life-giving, offering spiritual nourishment and guidance. This aligns with the biblical theme that true wisdom and understanding lead to life, echoing the life-giving nature of God's Word.

but the mouth of the wicked
In contrast, this phrase highlights the destructive potential of speech when it comes from the "wicked" (רָשָׁע, rasha). The wicked are those who reject God's ways, often characterized by deceit and malice. Their words can lead to harm and destruction, lacking the life-giving quality of the righteous. This dichotomy underscores the moral and spiritual consequences of one's speech.

conceals violence
The term "conceals" (יְכַסֶּה, yekasseh) implies hiding or covering up, suggesting deceit or hidden intentions. "Violence" (חָמָס, chamas) refers to wrongdoing or injustice, often associated with physical harm or oppression. The wicked may use their words to mask their true intentions, leading others astray or causing harm. This serves as a warning about the power of words and the importance of discernment in communication.

(11) Violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.--If these words are to be taken as in Proverbs 10:6, then the first line must mean that the righteous man speaks to his own profit. But perhaps it will be better here to interpret the second line in the sense of "the mouth of the godless hideth violence," i.e., it conceals under deceitful words the mischief intended for others. With God is the "well of life" (Psalm 36:9; Revelation 22:17); and in like manner the "mouth of the righteous" brings comfort and refreshment to the weary and heavy laden.

Verse 11. - A well of life (Proverbs 13:14: 18:4). The good man utters words of wisdom, comfort, and edification. God himself is said to have "the well of life" (Psalm 36:9), and to be "the Fountain of living waters" (Jeremiah 2:13): and the holy man, drawing from this supply, sheds life and health around. The second clause should be takes as in Ver. 6, but the mouth of the wicked concealeth violence, the contrast being between the open usefulness of the good man's words and the harmful reticence of the malicious sinner. The Septuagint has, "A fountain of life is in the hand of the righteous; but destruction shall cover the mouth of the wicked." This is explained to mean that a good man's words and actions tend to spiritual health; a bad man's words bring down sorrow and punishment.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The mouth
פִּ֣י (pî)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

of the righteous
צַדִּ֑יק (ṣad·dîq)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

is a fountain
מְק֣וֹר (mə·qō·wr)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4726: Something dug, a, source, of happiness, wisdom, progeny)

of life,
חַ֭יִּים (ḥay·yîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

but the mouth
וּפִ֥י (ū·p̄î)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

of the wicked
רְ֝שָׁעִ֗ים (rə·šā·‘îm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7563: Wrong, an, bad person

conceals
יְכַסֶּ֥ה (yə·ḵas·seh)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

violence.
חָמָֽס׃ (ḥā·mās)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2555: Violence, wrong, by meton, unjust gain


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