Proverbs 13:3
New International Version
Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.

New Living Translation
Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.

English Standard Version
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Berean Standard Bible
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

King James Bible
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

New King James Version
He who guards his mouth preserves his life, But he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

New American Standard Bible
One who guards his mouth protects his life; One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

NASB 1995
The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

NASB 1977
The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Legacy Standard Bible
The one who guards his mouth keeps his soul; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Amplified Bible
The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life; The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.

Christian Standard Bible
The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The one who guards his mouth protects his life; the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

American Standard Version
He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

Contemporary English Version
Keep what you know to yourself, and you will be safe; talk too much, and you are done for.

English Revised Version
He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Whoever controls his mouth protects his own life. Whoever has a big mouth comes to ruin.

Good News Translation
Be careful what you say and protect your life. A careless talker destroys himself.

International Standard Version
Anyone who guards his words protects his life; anyone who talks too much is ruined.

Majority Standard Bible
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

NET Bible
The one who guards his words guards his life, but whoever is talkative will come to ruin.

New Heart English Bible
He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Webster's Bible Translation
He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

World English Bible
He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Whoever is keeping his mouth, is keeping his soul, "" Whoever is opening wide his lips—ruin to him!

Young's Literal Translation
Whoso is keeping his mouth, is keeping his soul, Whoso is opening wide his lips -- ruin to him!

Smith's Literal Translation
He guarding his mouth, watched his soul: he opening wide his lips, destruction to him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
He that keepeth his mouth, keepeth his soul: but he that hath no guard on his speech shall meet with evils.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever guards his mouth guards his soul. But whoever gives no consideration to his speech shall experience misfortunes.

New American Bible
Those who guard their mouths preserve themselves; those who open wide their lips bring ruin.

New Revised Standard Version
Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
He who guards his mouth keeps his life; he who speaks too much shall bring ruin upon himself.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
He that keeps his mouth takes care of his soul, and he that opens his lips works shipwreck to his soul.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
He that guardeth his mouth keepeth his life; But for him that openeth wide his lips there shall be ruin.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
He that keeps his own mouth keeps his own life: but he that is hasty with his lips shall bring terror upon himself.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
A Father's Discipline
2From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence. 3He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. 4The slacker craves yet has nothing, but the soul of the diligent is fully satisfied.…

Cross References
James 3:2-10
We all stumble in many ways. If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to control his whole body. / When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can guide the whole animal. / Consider ships as well. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot is inclined. ...

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.”

Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

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

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.

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 17:27-28
A man of knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding maintains a calm spirit. / Even a fool is considered wise if he keeps silent, and discerning when he holds his tongue.

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

James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

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

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 29:20
Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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


Treasury of Scripture

He that keeps his mouth keeps his life: but he that opens wide his lips shall have destruction.

0:19

Proverbs 12:13
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

Proverbs 21:23
Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

Psalm 39:1
To the chief Musician, even to Jeduthun, A Psalm of David. I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me.

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Proverbs 13
1. a scoffer does not listen to rebuke














He who guards his mouth
The phrase "guards his mouth" suggests a vigilant and intentional effort to control one's speech. The Hebrew word for "guards" is "shamar," which means to keep, watch, or preserve. This implies a proactive stance, akin to a watchman on a city wall, alert to potential threats. In a biblical context, guarding one's mouth is a recurring theme, emphasizing the power of words to build up or destroy. The mouth, as a symbol of speech, is a tool that can either honor God and edify others or cause harm and discord. The wisdom literature of the Bible often contrasts the wise and the foolish, with the wise being those who exercise restraint and discernment in their speech.

protects his life
The act of protecting one's life through guarded speech underscores the intrinsic link between words and well-being. The Hebrew word for "protects" is "natsar," which conveys the idea of safeguarding or preserving. This protection is not merely physical but encompasses spiritual and emotional dimensions. In the ancient Near Eastern context, life was seen as a holistic entity, where spiritual, emotional, and physical health were interconnected. By controlling one's speech, a person aligns with God's wisdom, which leads to a flourishing life. The Bible consistently teaches that life and death are in the power of the tongue (Proverbs 18:21), and thus, careful speech is a means of preserving one's integrity and standing before God and others.

but the one who opens his lips
The phrase "opens his lips" refers to speaking without restraint or consideration. The Hebrew word "patach" means to open, and in this context, it implies a lack of control or thoughtfulness. This unguarded speech is often associated with folly and impulsiveness. In the cultural and historical setting of the Bible, speech was a primary means of communication and influence. Therefore, opening one's lips without discernment could lead to misunderstandings, conflicts, and damaged relationships. The Bible warns against the dangers of rash words, which can be like sword thrusts (Proverbs 12:18), causing harm to both the speaker and the listener.

invites his own ruin
The consequence of unguarded speech is described as inviting "his own ruin." The Hebrew word for "ruin" is "mechittah," which denotes destruction or downfall. This ruin is self-inflicted, highlighting the personal responsibility one bears for their words. In the biblical worldview, words are not trivial; they carry weight and consequence. The ruin can manifest in various forms, such as damaged reputations, broken relationships, or spiritual decline. The wisdom of Proverbs consistently teaches that folly leads to destruction, while wisdom leads to life. This verse serves as a cautionary reminder of the power of words and the importance of aligning one's speech with the principles of wisdom and righteousness.

(3) He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life.--Comp. above, on Proverbs 4:23; Proverbs 12:13.

Verse 3. - He that keepeth (guardeth) his mouth keepeth his life (Proverbs 18:21; Proverbs 21:23; comp. Psalm 39:1; James 1:26). Thus the gnome -

Ἡ γλῶσσα πολλοὺς εἰς ὄλεθρον ἤγαγεν.

"The tongue hath many to destruction led." And Ecclus. 28:25, "Weigh thy words in a balance, and make a door and bar for thy mouth. Beware thou slide not by it, lest thou fall before him that lieth in wait." But he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction (Proverbs 10:14). The Vulgate paraphrases, "He who is inconsiderate in speech shall experience evils;" Septuagint, "will terrify himself" - will occasion to himself many terrible alarms and inflictions. Hence the psalmist prays, "Set a watch, O Lord, before my month; keep the door of my lips." So we have in the Danish, "A silent man's words are not brought into court;" and in the Spanish, "Let not the tongue say what the head shall pay for;" while the Italians tell us, "The sheep that bleats is strangled by the wolf:" and "Silence was never written down" (Kelly). (See on Proverbs 18:6; 20:19.)

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He who guards
נֹצֵ֣ר (nō·ṣêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 5341: To watch, guard, keep

his mouth
פִּ֭יו (pîw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

protects
שֹׁמֵ֣ר (šō·mêr)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to

his life,
נַפְשׁ֑וֹ (nap̄·šōw)
Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion

[but] the one who opens
פֹּשֵׂ֥ק (pō·śêq)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 6589: To dispart, become licentious

his lips
שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו (p̄ā·ṯāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

invites his own ruin.
מְחִתָּה־ (mə·ḥit·tāh-)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 4288: A dissolution, a ruin, consternation


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his mouth guards his (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 13:2
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