Proverbs 10:18
New International Version
Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool.

New Living Translation
Hiding hatred makes you a liar; slandering others makes you a fool.

English Standard Version
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.

Berean Standard Bible
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

King James Bible
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

New King James Version
Whoever hides hatred has lying lips, And whoever spreads slander is a fool.

New American Standard Bible
One who conceals hatred has lying lips, And one who spreads slander is a fool.

NASB 1995
He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool.

NASB 1977
He who conceals hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who covers up hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads a bad report is a fool.

Amplified Bible
He who hides hatred has lying lips, And he who spreads slander is a fool.

Christian Standard Bible
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

American Standard Version
He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.

Contemporary English Version
You can hide your hatred by telling lies, but you are a fool to spread lies.

English Revised Version
He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; and he that uttereth a slander is a fool.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips. Whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Good News Translation
Anyone who hides hatred is a liar. Anyone who spreads gossip is a fool.

International Standard Version
Whoever conceals hatred is a deceitful liar, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

Majority Standard Bible
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

NET Bible
The one who conceals hatred utters lies, and the one who spreads slander is certainly a fool.

New Heart English Bible
He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

World English Bible
He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whoever is covering hatred with lying lips, "" And whoever is bringing out an evil report is a fool.

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is covering hatred with lying lips, And whoso is bringing out an evil report is a fool.

Smith's Literal Translation
He covering hatred with lips of falsehood, and he bringing forth slander, is foolish.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Lying lips hide hatred: he that uttereth reproach is foolish.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Lying lips conceal hatred; whoever brings forth contempt is unwise.

New American Bible
Whoever conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

New Revised Standard Version
Lying lips conceal hatred, and whoever utters slander is a fool.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The lips of the wicked are full of deceits, and he who utters a curse is a fool.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The lips of the evil lie in wait in hostility and he that brings forth a curse is lacking a mind.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Righteous lips cover enmity; but they that utter railings are most foolish.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Proverbs: The Wise Son
17Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who ignores reproof goes astray. 18The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever spreads slander is a fool. 19When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.…

Cross References
James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

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 4:25
Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.

Colossians 3:8-9
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. / Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,

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

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.

James 3:5-10
In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / The tongue also is a fire, a world of wickedness among the parts of the body. It pollutes the whole person, sets the course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ...

Matthew 15:18-19
But the things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these things defile a man. / For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.

Psalm 15:1-3
A Psalm of David. O LORD, who may abide in Your tent? Who may dwell on Your holy mountain? / He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart, / who has no slander on his tongue, who does no harm to his neighbor, who casts no scorn on his friend,

1 John 3:15
Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that eternal life does not reside in a murderer.

Leviticus 19:16
You must not go about spreading slander among your people. You must not endanger the life of your neighbor. I am the LORD.

Romans 1:29-30
They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents.

Psalm 101:5
Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure.

1 Timothy 5:13
At the same time they will also learn to be idle, going from house to house and being not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, discussing things they should not mention.

Titus 3:2
to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone.


Treasury of Scripture

He that hides hatred with lying lips, and he that utters a slander, is a fool.

that hideth

Proverbs 24:24-26
He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: …

1 Samuel 18:21,22,29
And Saul said, I will give him her, that she may be a snare to him, and that the hand of the Philistines may be against him. Wherefore Saul said to David, Thou shalt this day be my son in law in the one of the twain…

2 Samuel 3:27
And when Abner was returned to Hebron, Joab took him aside in the gate to speak with him quietly, and smote him there under the fifth rib, that he died, for the blood of Asahel his brother.

that uttereth

Psalm 15:3
He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbour, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbour.

Psalm 50:20
Thou sittest and speakest against thy brother; thou slanderest thine own mother's son.

Psalm 101:5
Whoso privily slandereth his neighbour, him will I cut off: him that hath an high look and a proud heart will not I suffer.

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Proverbs 10
1. Proverbs of Solomon: observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices














The one who conceals hatred
This phrase begins with the act of concealing, which in Hebrew is "כָּסָה" (kasah), meaning to cover or hide. In the context of Proverbs, concealing hatred is not a commendable act but rather a deceitful one. Hatred, or "שִׂנְאָה" (sin'ah), is a strong word denoting intense dislike or enmity. The historical context of ancient Israel placed a high value on community and relationships, and harboring hidden animosity would disrupt the social fabric. From a scriptural perspective, concealing hatred is contrary to the call for transparency and truthfulness found throughout the Bible. Jesus, in the New Testament, emphasizes the importance of love and reconciliation, urging believers to address conflicts openly (Matthew 5:23-24).

has lying lips
The phrase "lying lips" translates from the Hebrew "שְׂפָתַיִם שֶׁקֶר" (s'fatayim sheker), where "שֶׁקֶר" (sheker) means falsehood or deceit. In biblical literature, lips often symbolize speech and communication. The act of lying is condemned throughout Scripture, as God is portrayed as a God of truth (Numbers 23:19, John 14:6). The historical context of this proverb suggests that deceitful speech was a serious offense, undermining trust and justice within the community. The conservative Christian perspective upholds the sanctity of truth, aligning with the biblical mandate to speak honestly and uphold integrity in all interactions.

and whoever spreads slander
"Slander" in Hebrew is "דִּבָּה" (dibbah), which refers to defamation or malicious gossip. The act of spreading slander is seen as destructive, tearing down reputations and sowing discord. In ancient Israel, a society that relied heavily on oral communication and reputation, slander could have devastating effects. The Bible consistently warns against gossip and slander, emphasizing the power of words to harm or heal (James 3:5-6). From a conservative Christian viewpoint, believers are called to use their words to edify and build up others, reflecting the love and truth of Christ.

is a fool
The term "fool" is translated from the Hebrew "כְּסִיל" (kesil), which denotes someone who is morally deficient or lacking in wisdom. In the wisdom literature of the Bible, a fool is not merely someone who lacks intelligence but someone who rejects God's ways and wisdom. The historical and scriptural context of Proverbs often contrasts the wise and the foolish, urging readers to pursue wisdom, which begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). From a conservative Christian perspective, spreading slander is foolish because it goes against the teachings of Christ, who calls His followers to love, truth, and righteousness. The fool's actions ultimately lead to their own downfall, as they are out of alignment with God's righteous standards.

(18) He that hideth hatred . . .--This would be more correctly translated, "He that hideth hatred is a mouth of falsehood: he that spreadeth slander is a fool" (khesil: Proverbs 1:22). (For the construction, "he . . . is a mouth of falsehood," comp. note on Proverbs 8:30; and for the sentiment, David's complaint, Psalm 41:6).

Is a fool.--For he does mischief to his neighbour, and only gets ill-will for himself.

Verse 18. - This verse ought to be translated, He that hideth hatred is [a man] of lying lips, and he that uttereth slander is a fool. He who cherishes hatred in the heart must be a liar and a hypocrite, speaking and acting in a way contrary to his real sentiments; if he divulges his slander, he is a stupid fool, injuring his neighbour, and procuring ill will for himself. The LXX. reads, "Just (δίκαια) lips conceal hatred;" but probably δίκαια is an error for ἄδικα or δόλια, though Ewald defends it, and would alter the Hebrew to suit it.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The one who conceals
מְכַסֶּ֣ה (mə·ḵas·seh)
Verb - Piel - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3680: To plump, fill up hollows, to cover

hatred
שִׂ֭נְאָה (nə·’āh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 8135: Hating, hatred

has lying
שָׁ֑קֶר (šā·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood

lips,
שִׂפְתֵי־ (śip̄·ṯê-)
Noun - fdc
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

and whoever spreads
וּמוֹצִ֥א (ū·mō·w·ṣi)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

slander
דִ֝בָּ֗ה (ḏib·bāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1681: Whispering, defamation, evil report

is a fool.
כְסִֽיל׃ (ḵə·sîl)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3684: Stupid fellow, dullard, fool


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 10:18 He who hides hatred has lying lips (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 10:17
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