Proverbs 12:17
New International Version
An honest witness tells the truth, but a false witness tells lies.

New Living Translation
An honest witness tells the truth; a false witness tells lies.

English Standard Version
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.

Berean Standard Bible
He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.

King James Bible
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

New King James Version
He who speaks truth declares righteousness, But a false witness, deceit.

New American Standard Bible
One who declares truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit.

NASB 1995
He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit.

NASB 1977
He who speaks truth tells what is right, But a false witness, deceit.

Legacy Standard Bible
He who breathes out truth declares what is right, But a false witness, deceit.

Amplified Bible
He who speaks truth [when he testifies] tells what is right, But a false witness utters deceit [in court].

Christian Standard Bible
Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness, deceit.

American Standard Version
He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness; But a false witness, deceit.

Contemporary English Version
An honest person tells the truth in court, but a dishonest person tells nothing but lies.

English Revised Version
He that uttereth truth sheweth forth righteousness, but a false witness deceit.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A truthful witness speaks honestly, but a lying witness speaks deceitfully.

Good News Translation
When you tell the truth, justice is done, but lies lead to injustice.

International Standard Version
The truth teller speaks what is right, but the false witness speaks what is deceitful.

Majority Standard Bible
He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.

NET Bible
The faithful witness tells what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.

New Heart English Bible
He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that speaketh truth showeth forth righteousness: but a false witness, deceit.

World English Bible
He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whoever utters faithfulness declares righteousness, "" And a false witness—deceit.

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso uttereth faithfulness declareth righteousness, And a false witness -- deceit.

Smith's Literal Translation
He breathing out faithfulness will announce justice: and a witness of falsehoods, deceit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that speaketh that which he knoweth, sheweth forth justice: but he that lieth, is a deceitful witness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
He is a sign of justice, who speaks what he knows. But whoever deceives is a dishonest witness.

New American Bible
Whoever speaks honestly testifies truly, but the deceitful make lying witnesses.

New Revised Standard Version
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness speaks deceitfully.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
A righteous man speaks truth as it is evident; but a false witness is deceptive.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The righteous speaks obvious trustworthiness and the testimony of the evil is deceit.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He that breatheth forth truth uttereth righteousness; But a false witness deceit.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
A righteous man declares the open truth; but an unjust witness is deceitful.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Loving Discipline and Knowledge
16A fool’s anger is known at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. 17He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit. 18Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.…

Cross References
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.

Zechariah 8:16
These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates,

John 8:44
You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Colossians 3:9
Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,

Psalm 15:2
He who walks with integrity and practices righteousness, who speaks the truth from his heart,

1 John 1:6
If we say we have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.

Proverbs 14:5
An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.

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 6:16-19
There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...

James 3:14
But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth.

Exodus 20:16
You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Matthew 5:37
Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ Anything more comes from the evil one.

Proverbs 19:5
A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.

1 Timothy 1:10
for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching

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


Treasury of Scripture

He that speaks truth shows forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

that

Proverbs 14:5,25
A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies…

1 Samuel 22:14,15
Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? …

but

Proverbs 6:19
A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.

Proverbs 19:5,28
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape…

Proverbs 21:28
A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly.

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Breatheth Breathing Deceit Evidence Faithfulness Forth Gives Honest Honestly Lies Right Righteousness Sheweth Showeth Speaketh Speaks Tells Testifies Testimony True. Truth Truthful Uttereth Utters Witness Words
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Breatheth Breathing Deceit Evidence Faithfulness Forth Gives Honest Honestly Lies Right Righteousness Sheweth Showeth Speaketh Speaks Tells Testifies Testimony True. Truth Truthful Uttereth Utters Witness Words
Proverbs 12
1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge














He who speaks the truth
The phrase emphasizes the importance of honesty and integrity. In Hebrew, the word for "truth" is "emet," which conveys a sense of firmness, stability, and reliability. Truth is foundational in the biblical worldview, reflecting God's own nature as truthful and faithful. In a world where deception can be prevalent, speaking the truth aligns one with divine principles and promotes justice and righteousness.

declares what is right
The act of declaring involves making known or proclaiming. In the Hebrew context, "right" is often associated with righteousness and justice, derived from the word "tsedeq." This suggests that truth-telling is not merely about factual accuracy but about upholding justice and moral integrity. The speaker of truth contributes to the establishment of a just society, reflecting God's desire for order and righteousness.

but a false witness
The term "false witness" is significant in biblical law, particularly in the context of the Ten Commandments, which prohibit bearing false witness against one's neighbor. In Hebrew, "false" is "sheqer," meaning deception or lie. A false witness distorts reality, undermining trust and justice. Historically, false testimony could lead to severe consequences, highlighting the gravity of this sin.

speaks deceit
Deceit, or "mirmah" in Hebrew, involves trickery and betrayal. It is the antithesis of truth and righteousness. Deceitful speech is condemned throughout Scripture because it leads to harm, division, and injustice. The Bible consistently warns against deceit, urging believers to reflect God's truthfulness in their words and actions. In a conservative Christian perspective, this serves as a call to live authentically and honorably, reflecting Christ's example of truth.

Verse 17. - He that speaketh - breatheth out fearlessly (Proverbs 6:19) - truth showeth forth righteousness. The truth always conduces to justice and right, not only in a matter of law, but generally and in all cases. Vulgate, "He who speaks that which he knows is a discoverer of justice;" Septuagint, "A just man announces well proved assurance [or, 'the open truth'] (ἐπιδεικνυμένην πίστιν)." A false witness showeth forth deceit (Proverbs 14:5, 25); exhibits his true character, which is fraud, treachery, and wrong doing.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
[He who] speaks
יָפִ֣יחַ (yā·p̄î·aḥ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6315: To puff, blow with the breath, air, to fan, to utter, to kindle, to scoff

the truth
אֱ֭מוּנָה (’ĕ·mū·nāh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 530: Firmness, steadfastness, fidelity

declares
יַגִּ֣יד (yag·gîḏ)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5046: To be conspicuous

what is right,
צֶ֑דֶק (ṣe·ḏeq)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6664: The right, equity, prosperity

but a false
שְׁקָרִ֣ים (šə·qā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood

witness
וְעֵ֖ד (wə·‘êḏ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince

[speaks] deceit.
מִרְמָֽה׃ (mir·māh)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4820: Deceit, treachery


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 12:17 He who is truthful testifies honestly (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 12:16
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