Verse (Click for Chapter) 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 VersionA 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 BibleEloquent 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 BibleExcellent 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 1917Overbearing 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 WorseJump to Next Arrogant Churl Excellency Excellent Fair False. Falsehood Fine Fit Fitting Fool Foolish Less Lip Noble Overbearing Prince Ruler Speech Vile Words WorseProverbs 17 1. Contrasts between the Righteous and the WickedEloquent words are unfit for a fool; In the biblical context, a "fool" is often someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, particularly in spiritual matters. Eloquent words, which are articulate and persuasive, are wasted on such a person because they lack the discernment to appreciate or apply them. This reflects the broader biblical theme that wisdom and understanding are gifts from God, as seen in Proverbs 1:7, where the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. The cultural context of ancient Israel valued wisdom and understanding, often associating them with righteousness and a life aligned with God's will. The fool, therefore, represents a life lived contrary to these values. how much worse are lying lips to a ruler! Persons / Places / Events 1. FoolIn the context of Proverbs, a fool is someone who lacks wisdom and understanding, often rejecting God's guidance and moral principles. 2. Ruler A person in a position of authority or leadership, responsible for making decisions and guiding others. 3. Solomon Traditionally considered the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the king of Israel known for his wisdom. 4. Ancient Israel The cultural and historical backdrop of the Proverbs, where wisdom literature was highly valued. 5. Wisdom Literature A genre of biblical writing that focuses on practical and moral teachings, often using poetic language. Teaching Points The Inappropriateness of Eloquent Words for FoolsEloquent speech requires wisdom and understanding, which fools lack. Therefore, it is incongruent for a fool to use such language. The Greater Danger of Lying Lips for Rulers Leaders have a responsibility to uphold truth and integrity. Lying undermines their authority and can lead to widespread harm. The Value of Truthful Speech As Christians, we are called to speak truthfully and avoid deceit, reflecting the character of Christ in our communication. The Role of Wisdom in Leadership Rulers and leaders should seek wisdom to guide their words and actions, ensuring they lead with integrity and righteousness. Guarding Our Speech We must be mindful of our words, understanding their power to build up or tear down, and strive to speak in ways that honor God.(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. Hebrew Eloquentיֶ֑תֶר (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 NIVProverbs 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. 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