Proverbs 11:9
New International Version
With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.

New Living Translation
With their words, the godless destroy their friends, but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

English Standard Version
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.

Berean Standard Bible
With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

King James Bible
An hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

New King James Version
The hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

New American Standard Bible
With his mouth the godless person destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be rescued.

NASB 1995
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

NASB 1977
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

Legacy Standard Bible
With his mouth the godless man corrupts his neighbor, But through knowledge the righteous will be rescued.

Amplified Bible
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, But through knowledge and discernment the righteous will be rescued.

Christian Standard Bible
With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

American Standard Version
With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbor; But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.

Contemporary English Version
Dishonest people use gossip to destroy their neighbors; good people are protected by their own good sense.

English Revised Version
With his mouth the godless man destroyeth his neighbour: but through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
With his talk a godless person can ruin his neighbor, but righteous people are rescued by knowledge.

Good News Translation
You can be ruined by the talk of godless people, but the wisdom of the righteous can save you.

International Standard Version
By what he says, the godless person can destroy his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous escape.

Majority Standard Bible
With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

NET Bible
With his speech the godless person destroys his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous will be delivered.

New Heart English Bible
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.

Webster's Bible Translation
A hypocrite with his mouth destroyeth his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

World English Bible
With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but the righteous will be delivered through knowledge.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A hypocrite corrupts his friend with the mouth, "" And the righteous are drawn out by knowledge.

Young's Literal Translation
With the mouth a hypocrite corrupteth his friend, And by knowledge the righteous are drawn out.

Smith's Literal Translation
With the mouth the profane will destroy his neighbor: and by knowledge, shall the just one be delivered.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The dissembler with his mouth deceiveth his friend: but the just shall be delivered by knowledge.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The pretender deceives his friend by mouth. But the just shall be freed by knowledge.

New American Bible
By a word the impious ruin their neighbors, but through their knowledge the just are rescued.

New Revised Standard Version
With their mouths the godless would destroy their neighbors, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
With his mouth a wicked man destroys his neighbor; but through knowledge shall the righteous be strengthened.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
With his mouth an evil one destroys his neighbor, and by knowledge the righteous shall be strengthened.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
With his mouth the impious man destroyeth his neighbour; But through knowledge shall the righteous be delivered.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
In the mouth of ungodly men is a snare to citizens: but the understanding of righteous men is prosperous.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Dishonest Scales
8The righteous man is delivered from trouble; in his place the wicked man goes in. 9With his mouth the ungodly man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous are rescued. 10When the righteous thrive, the city rejoices, and when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy.…

Cross References
James 3:6
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.

James 3:8
but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

James 3:9-10
With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness. / Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be!

Matthew 12:36-37
But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

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 3:8
But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

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.

Romans 3:13
“Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.”

2 Timothy 2:16
But avoid irreverent, empty chatter, which will only lead to more ungodliness,

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

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

Psalm 52:2-4
Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.

Psalm 64:3
who sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their bitter words like arrows,

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.

Psalm 140:3
They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah


Treasury of Scripture

An hypocrite with his mouth destroys his neighbor: but through knowledge shall the just be delivered.

1 Kings 13:18-22
He said unto him, I am a prophet also as thou art; and an angel spake unto me by the word of the LORD, saying, Bring him back with thee into thine house, that he may eat bread and drink water. But he lied unto him…

1 Kings 22:6,22-23
Then the king of Israel gathered the prophets together, about four hundred men, and said unto them, Shall I go against Ramothgilead to battle, or shall I forbear? And they said, Go up; for the Lord shall deliver it into the hand of the king…

Job 8:13
So are the paths of all that forget God; and the hypocrite's hope shall perish:

through

Proverbs 2:10-16
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; …

Proverbs 4:5,6
Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth…

Proverbs 6:23,24
For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life: …

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Proverbs 11
1. On Deception














With his mouth
The phrase "with his mouth" emphasizes the power of words. In Hebrew, the word for mouth is "peh," which signifies not just the physical mouth but also the speech and expressions that come from it. Historically, the spoken word held immense power in ancient cultures, often seen as a direct reflection of one's character and intentions. In a conservative Christian perspective, this highlights the biblical truth that words can either build up or tear down, aligning with James 3:5-6, which speaks of the tongue's power to corrupt.

the ungodly man
The term "ungodly" is translated from the Hebrew word "chaneph," which refers to someone who is morally corrupt or irreverent towards God. In the context of Proverbs, the ungodly are those who reject divine wisdom and live according to their own sinful desires. Historically, such individuals were seen as threats to the community's moral and spiritual fabric. From a conservative Christian viewpoint, this underscores the importance of aligning one's life with God's commandments to avoid the destructive path of the ungodly.

destroys his neighbor
The word "destroys" comes from the Hebrew "shachath," meaning to ruin or corrupt. This phrase illustrates the devastating impact that slander and deceit can have on relationships and communities. In ancient Israel, the concept of "neighbor" extended beyond immediate proximity to include fellow members of the covenant community. The conservative Christian perspective emphasizes the call to love one's neighbor as oneself (Mark 12:31), recognizing that words can either uphold or violate this commandment.

but through knowledge
"Knowledge" in this context is derived from the Hebrew word "da'at," which implies a deep, intimate understanding, often associated with the knowledge of God and His ways. This is not mere intellectual knowledge but a spiritual insight that guides righteous living. Historically, wisdom literature in the Bible often contrasts the outcomes of knowledge versus ignorance. For conservative Christians, this highlights the transformative power of knowing God and His truth, which leads to righteous living and decision-making.

the righteous
The term "righteous" is translated from the Hebrew "tsaddiq," referring to those who live in accordance with God's laws and principles. In the biblical context, righteousness is not just about moral behavior but also about being in right relationship with God. Historically, the righteous were seen as pillars of the community, upholding justice and integrity. From a conservative Christian perspective, righteousness is achieved through faith in Christ and is evidenced by a life that reflects His teachings.

are rescued
The word "rescued" comes from the Hebrew "chalats," meaning to be delivered or saved. This phrase promises divine intervention and protection for those who live righteously. In the historical context of Israel, rescue often implied deliverance from physical or spiritual danger. For conservative Christians, this assurance of rescue is both temporal and eternal, reflecting God's faithfulness to protect and save those who trust in Him, ultimately pointing to the salvation found in Jesus Christ.

(9) An hypocrite.--Rather, the impure, profane.

Through knowledge.--The just, by the knowledge given them by God, shall see through the fraud.

Verse 9. - An hypocrite (chaneph); simulator, Vulgate. So translated continually in Job, e.g. 8:13; 13:16, etc. Others take it to mean "profane," "godless." Such a man, by his falsehoods, insinuations, and slanders, destroys his neighbour as far as he is able (Proverbs 12:6). Septuagint, "In the mouth of the wicked is a snare for fellow citizens." Through knowledge. By the knowledge which the just possess, and which they display by judicious counsel, peace and safety are secured. Septuagint, "Knowledge affords an easy path (εὔοδος) for the just."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
With his mouth
בְּפֶ֗ה (bə·p̄eh)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

the ungodly man
חָ֭נֵף (ḥā·nêp̄)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2611: Profane, irreligious

destroys
יַשְׁחִ֣ת (yaš·ḥiṯ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7843: Perhaps to go to ruin

his neighbor,
רֵעֵ֑הוּ (rê·‘ê·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow

but through knowledge
וּ֝בְדַ֗עַת (ū·ḇə·ḏa·‘aṯ)
Conjunctive waw, Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1847: Knowledge

the righteous
צַדִּיקִ֥ים (ṣad·dî·qîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 6662: Just, righteous

are rescued.
יֵחָלֵֽצוּ׃ (yê·ḥā·lê·ṣū)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 2502: To pull off, to strip, to depart, to deliver, equip, present, strengthen


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 11:9 With his mouth the godless man destroys (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 11:8
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