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

New Living Translation
Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.

English Standard Version
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Berean Standard Bible
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

King James Bible
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

New King James Version
The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

New American Standard Bible
Truthful lips will endure forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.

NASB 1995
Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.

NASB 1977
Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.

Legacy Standard Bible
Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.

Amplified Bible
Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is [credited] only for a moment.

Christian Standard Bible
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment.

American Standard Version
The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Contemporary English Version
Truth will last forever; lies are soon found out.

English Revised Version
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The word of truth lasts forever, but lies last only a moment.

Good News Translation
A lie has a short life, but truth lives on forever.

International Standard Version
A truthful saying is trusted forever, but the liar only for a moment.

Majority Standard Bible
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

NET Bible
The one who tells the truth will endure forever, but the one who lies will last only for a moment.

New Heart English Bible
Truth's lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.

Webster's Bible Translation
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

World English Bible
Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The lip of truth is established forever, "" And a tongue of falsehood for a moment.

Young's Literal Translation
The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment -- a tongue of falsehood.

Smith's Literal Translation
The lip of truth shall be prepared forever: and the tongue of falsehood while I shall wink.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The lip of truth shall be steadfast for ever: but he that is a hasty witness, frameth a lying tongue.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The lips of truth shall be steadfast forever. But a hasty witness readies a lying tongue.

New American Bible
Truthful lips endure forever, the lying tongue, for only a moment.

New Revised Standard Version
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The lips of truth are forthright; but the tongue of a lying witness is wicked.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The lips of truth are right, and the hasty witness does evil with his tongue.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Loving Discipline and Knowledge
18Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. 19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. 20Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.…

Cross References
James 3:5-6
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.

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.

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.

Colossians 3:9
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.

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.”

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, ...

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.

Proverbs 10:32
The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.

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

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

Revelation 21:8
But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”

Proverbs 21:6
Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.

Psalm 120:2
Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.


Treasury of Scripture

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

lip

Zechariah 1:4-6
Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and from your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD…

Matthew 24:35
Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.

but

Proverbs 19:9
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.

Job 20:5
That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?

Psalm 52:5
God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.

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Proverbs 12
1. Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge














Truthful lips endure forever
The phrase "Truthful lips" in the Hebrew text is "שְׂפָת־אֱמֶת" (s'fat-emet). The word "אֱמֶת" (emet) means truth, reliability, or faithfulness. In the biblical context, truth is not merely about factual accuracy but encompasses faithfulness and integrity. The lips that speak truth are aligned with God's nature, as He is the ultimate embodiment of truth. Historically, the Israelites were called to be a people of truth, reflecting God's character in their speech and actions. The enduring nature of truthful speech is emphasized here, suggesting that truth has an eternal quality, resonating with the divine and standing the test of time.

endure forever
The Hebrew word for "endure" is "תִּכּוֹן" (tikun), which implies being established or made firm. The phrase "endure forever" suggests a permanence and stability that comes from aligning with God's truth. In a world where falsehoods may seem to prevail temporarily, this verse reassures believers that truth is ultimately unshakeable and eternal. The historical context of ancient Israel, where oral tradition was paramount, underscores the importance of truthful speech as a foundation for community and covenantal faithfulness. This enduring nature of truth is a call for believers to trust in God's promises and to live lives marked by integrity.

but a lying tongue
The phrase "lying tongue" in Hebrew is "וּלְשׁוֹן שֶׁקֶר" (ul'shon sheker). The word "שֶׁקֶר" (sheker) means falsehood or deceit. In the biblical narrative, lying is often associated with the adversary, Satan, who is called the "father of lies" (John 8:44). The "lying tongue" represents speech that is contrary to God's nature and destructive to community and relationships. Historically, false prophets and deceitful leaders led Israel astray, highlighting the dangers of lies. This phrase serves as a warning against the temporary allure of deceit, which ultimately leads to ruin.

lasts only a moment
The Hebrew phrase "רֶגַע" (rega) means a brief moment or instant. This stark contrast to the eternal nature of truth highlights the fleeting and unstable nature of falsehood. Lies may seem effective or advantageous in the short term, but they lack the foundation and permanence of truth. In the biblical context, this serves as a reminder of the ultimate justice of God, who will bring all things to light. The temporary success of deceit is ultimately futile, as God's truth will prevail. This encourages believers to remain steadfast in truth, trusting in God's eternal perspective.

(19) A lying tongue is but for a moment.--Being detected and silenced by the providence of God, (Comp. Psalm 64:7-8.)

Verse 19. - The lip of truth shall be established forever. Truth is consistent, invincible, enduring; and the fact belongs not only to Divine truth (Psalm 117:2; Matthew 24:35), but to human, in its measure. Septuagint, "True lips establish testimony," pointing the last word ad as ed. Is but for a moment; literally, while I wink the eye (Jeremiah 49:19; Jeremiah 50:44). Lying never answers in the end; it is soon found out and punished (Proverbs 19:9; Psalm 52:5). Septuagint, "But a hasty (ταχύς; repentinus, Vulgate) witness hath an unjust tongue." One who gives his testimony without due consideration, or influenced by evil motives, readily fails into lying and injustice. With the latter half of the verse we may compare the gnome -

Ἀλλ οὐδὲν ἕρπει ψεῦδος εἰς γῆρας χρόνου

"Unto old age no lie doth ever live." A lie has no legs, is a maxim of wide nationality; and "Truth may be blamed, but shall ne'er be shamed."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Truthful
אֱ֭מֶת (’ĕ·meṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 571: Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness

lips
שְֽׂפַת־ (śə·p̄aṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

endure forever,
תִּכּ֣וֹן (tik·kō·wn)
Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 3559: To be erect

but a lying
שָֽׁקֶר׃ (šā·qer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood

tongue
לְשׁ֣וֹן (lə·šō·wn)
Noun - common singular construct
Strong's 3956: The tongue

[lasts] only
וְעַד־ (wə·‘aḏ-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while

a moment.
אַ֝רְגִּ֗יעָה (’ar·gî·‘āh)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular
Strong's 7281: A wink, a very short space of time


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 12:19 Truth's lips will be established forever (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 12:18
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