Proverbs 17:7
New International Version
Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool— how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

New Living Translation
Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

English Standard Version
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.

Berean Standard Bible
Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

King James Bible
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

New King James Version
Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.

New American Standard Bible
Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince.

NASB 1995
Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince.

NASB 1977
Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool; Much less are lying lips to a prince.

Legacy Standard Bible
Excellent lips are not fitting for a wicked fool, Even less are lying lips for a noble man.

Amplified Bible
Excellent speech does not benefit a fool [who is spiritually blind], Much less do lying lips benefit a prince.

Christian Standard Bible
Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips; how much worse are lies for a ruler.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips; how much worse are lies for a ruler.

American Standard Version
Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

Contemporary English Version
It sounds strange for a fool to talk sensibly, but it's even worse for a ruler to tell lies.

English Revised Version
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Refined speech is not fitting for a godless fool. How much less does lying fit a noble person!

Good News Translation
Respected people do not tell lies, and fools have nothing worthwhile to say.

International Standard Version
Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool; how much more are deceitful statements with a prince!

Majority Standard Bible
Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

NET Bible
Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler!

New Heart English Bible
Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

Webster's Bible Translation
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

World English Bible
Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A lip of excellence is not fitting for a fool, much less a lip of falsehood for a noble.

Young's Literal Translation
Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.

Smith's Literal Translation
The lip of excellence is not becoming to, the foolish one: much less the lip of falsehood to the noble one.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Well-chosen words are not fitting for the foolish, nor are lying lips fitting for a leader.

New American Bible
Fine words ill fit a fool; how much more lying lips, a noble!

New Revised Standard Version
Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a ruler.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Excellent speech is unbecoming to a fool, and lying lips to a righteous man.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A trustworthy utterance is unbecoming to a fool; so is a false utterance to a righteous one.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Overbearing speech becometh not a churl; Much less do lying lips a prince.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness
6Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of a son is his father. 7Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler! 8A bribe is a charm to its giver; wherever he turns, he succeeds.…

Cross References
James 3:10-12
Out of the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, this should not be! / Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? / My brothers, can a fig tree grow olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

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 4:29
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 3:8-9
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.

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

Proverbs 26:7
Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Proverbs 26:9
Like a thorn that goes into the hand of a drunkard is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.

Isaiah 32:6
For a fool speaks foolishness; his mind plots iniquity. He practices ungodliness and speaks falsely about the LORD; he leaves the hungry empty and deprives the thirsty of drink.

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.

Luke 6:45
The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

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 19:1
Better a poor man who walks with integrity than a fool whose lips are perverse.

Proverbs 6:12
A worthless person, a wicked man, walks with a perverse mouth,

Proverbs 12:22
Lying lips are detestable to the LORD, but those who deal faithfully are His delight.


Treasury of Scripture

Excellent speech becomes not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

excellent speech

Proverbs 26:7
The legs of the lame are not equal: so is a parable in the mouth of fools.

Psalm 50:16,17
But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? …

much

Proverbs 16:10-13
A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment…

Proverbs 29:12
If a ruler hearken to lies, all his servants are wicked.

2 Samuel 23:3
The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spake to me, He that ruleth over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.

lying lips

Proverbs 12:19
The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Jump to Previous
Arrogant Churl Excellency Excellent Fair False. Falsehood Fine Fit Fitting Fool Foolish Less Lip Noble Overbearing Prince Ruler Speech Vile Words Worse
Jump to Next
Arrogant Churl Excellency Excellent Fair False. Falsehood Fine Fit Fitting Fool Foolish Less Lip Noble Overbearing Prince Ruler Speech Vile Words Worse
Proverbs 17
1. Contrasts between the Righteous and the Wicked














Eloquent words
The Hebrew term for "eloquent" here is "yāṯar," which conveys the idea of something that is excessive or abundant. In the context of Proverbs, eloquence is often associated with wisdom and the ability to communicate effectively and persuasively. However, when such words are used by a fool, they become incongruous. The Bible frequently contrasts wisdom and folly, emphasizing that true wisdom comes from God and is reflected in one's actions and speech. Eloquent words, when misused by a fool, can lead to misunderstanding and deception, highlighting the importance of aligning one's speech with godly wisdom.

are unfit for a fool
The word "unfit" in Hebrew is "nāwāh," meaning unsuitable or inappropriate. A fool, in the biblical sense, is someone who lacks moral and spiritual insight, often rejecting God's wisdom. The juxtaposition of eloquent words with a fool underscores the discord between appearance and reality. A fool may attempt to use eloquent speech to mask their lack of understanding, but such words are ultimately hollow and ineffective. This serves as a reminder that true wisdom and understanding cannot be feigned through mere rhetoric.

how much worse
This phrase introduces a comparison, emphasizing the severity of the subsequent statement. The Hebrew construction here intensifies the contrast between the two scenarios presented in the verse. It suggests that while eloquent words are already inappropriate for a fool, the following situation is even more egregious. This rhetorical device is common in Hebrew poetry, drawing the reader's attention to the gravity of the issue at hand.

are lying lips
"Lying lips" refers to speech that is deceitful and untruthful. In the biblical context, lying is consistently condemned as contrary to God's nature, who is the embodiment of truth. The Hebrew word for "lying" is "šeqer," which denotes falsehood and deception. The Bible teaches that truthfulness is a reflection of one's character and relationship with God. Lying lips are particularly dangerous because they can lead to mistrust, division, and harm within a community or nation.

to a ruler
The term "ruler" in Hebrew is "nāgîd," which can refer to a leader, prince, or someone in authority. Rulers are entrusted with the responsibility of leading with integrity and justice. When a ruler is surrounded by deceitful advisors or engages in lying themselves, it undermines their ability to govern effectively and righteously. The Bible places a high value on truth and justice, especially for those in positions of power, as their decisions impact the lives of many. This part of the verse serves as a warning to rulers to guard against deceit and to seek wisdom and truth in their leadership.

(7) Excellent speech becometh not a fool.--Rather, perhaps, Superfluous or pretentious words become not a vile person (n?bh?l), such as is described in Isaiah 32:6. (Comp. 1Samuel 25:25.)

Much less do lying lips a prince.--Or, liberal person (Isaiah 32:8): noblesse oblige.

Verse 7. - Excellent speech becometh not a fool. שְׂפַת יָתֶר; verba composita, Vulgate, i.e. studied, complicated, expressions; χείλη πιστά, "faithful lips," Septuagint. Others translate, "arrogant," "pretentious." It is literally, a lip of excess or superabundance, and is best taken in the above sense, as arrogant or assuming. A nabal, a "vicious fool," ought not to flaunt his unwisdom and his iniquities before the eyes of men, but to keep them hidden as much as possible. As such presumptuous behaviour is incongruous in the case of a fool, much less do lying lips [become] a prince; a noble person, such a one as is called in Isaiah (Isaiah 32:8) "liberal," where the same word, nadib, is used. This is an illustration of the saying, "Noblesse oblige." Thus the Greek gnome -

Ἐλευθέρου γὰρ ἀνδρὸς ἀλήθειαν λέγειν

"A free man's part it is the truth to speak." To John the Good, King of France, is attributed the noble maxim which well became his chivalrous character, "Si la bonne foi etait bannie du reste du monde, il faudrait qu'on la retrouvat dans le coeur des rois" (Bonnechose, 'Hist. de France,' 1:310). "My son," says the rabbi in the Talmud, "avoid lying first of all; for a lie will tarnish the brightness of thy honour." For "prince," the Septuagint has, "a just man," which makes the maxim a mere truism.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Eloquent
יֶ֑תֶר (ye·ṯer)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3499: An overhanging, an excess, superiority, remainder, a small rope

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

are unfit
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

for a fool;
לְנָבָ֣ל (lə·nā·ḇāl)
Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5036: Foolish, senseless

how much worse
אַ֝֗ף (’ap̄)
Conjunction
Strong's 637: Meaning accession, yea, adversatively though

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

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

to a ruler!
לְנָדִ֥יב (lə·nā·ḏîḇ)
Preposition-l | Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 5081: Voluntary, generous, magnanimous, a grandee


Links
Proverbs 17:7 NIV
Proverbs 17:7 NLT
Proverbs 17:7 ESV
Proverbs 17:7 NASB
Proverbs 17:7 KJV

Proverbs 17:7 BibleApps.com
Proverbs 17:7 Biblia Paralela
Proverbs 17:7 Chinese Bible
Proverbs 17:7 French Bible
Proverbs 17:7 Catholic Bible

OT Poetry: Proverbs 17:7 Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 17:6
Top of Page
Top of Page