Proverbs 18:21
New International Version
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

New Living Translation
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

English Standard Version
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.

Berean Standard Bible
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

King James Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

New King James Version
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

New American Standard Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

NASB 1995
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

NASB 1977
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Legacy Standard Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

Amplified Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it and indulge it will eat its fruit and bear the consequences of their words.

Christian Standard Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

American Standard Version
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Contemporary English Version
Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.

English Revised Version
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love to talk will have to eat their own words.

Good News Translation
What you say can preserve life or destroy it; so you must accept the consequences of your words.

International Standard Version
The power of the tongue is life and death— those who love to talk will eat what it produces.

Majority Standard Bible
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

NET Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love its use will eat its fruit.

New Heart English Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.

Webster's Bible Translation
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit of it.

World English Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who love it will eat its fruit.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue, "" And those loving it eat its fruit.

Young's Literal Translation
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those loving it eat its fruit.

Smith's Literal Translation
Death and life in the hand of the tongue: and they loving it shall eat its fruit.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Death and life are in the power of the tongue. Whoever values it shall eat from its fruits.

New American Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; those who choose one shall eat its fruit.

New Revised Standard Version
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those who love it shall eat the fruits thereof.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and he that loves it will eat from its fruit.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; And they that indulge it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Selfishness of the Unfriendly
20From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. 21Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. 22He who finds a wife finds a good thing and obtains favor from the LORD.…

Cross References
James 3:5-10
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. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ...

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.”

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

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

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

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

James 1:26
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless.

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.

Psalm 34:12-13
Who is the man who delights in life, who desires to see good days? / Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.

Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

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

Matthew 15:11
A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.”

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.

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


Treasury of Scripture

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

death

Proverbs 18:4-7
The words of a man's mouth are as deep waters, and the wellspring of wisdom as a flowing brook…

Proverbs 10:20,21,31
The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth…

Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

and

Proverbs 10:9
He that walketh uprightly walketh surely: but he that perverteth his ways shall be known.

Ecclesiastes 10:12-14
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself…

Isaiah 57:19
I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him.

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Proverbs 18
1. A fool delights not in understanding














Life and death
This phrase underscores the profound impact that words can have. In Hebrew, "life" (חַיִּים, chayyim) and "death" (מָוֶת, mavet) are often used to represent the ultimate outcomes of human actions and decisions. The juxtaposition of these two words highlights the stark contrast between the potential for good and harm inherent in our speech. Historically, the ancient Near Eastern cultures, including Israel, recognized the power of words to bless or curse, to heal or wound. This understanding is deeply rooted in the biblical narrative, where God's spoken word brings creation into existence (Genesis 1). Thus, the proverb reminds us that our words can create or destroy, reflecting the divine power of speech.

are in the power of the tongue
The "tongue" (לָשׁוֹן, lashon) in Hebrew is often used metaphorically to represent speech or language. The phrase "power of the tongue" suggests that the tongue wields significant influence. In the ancient world, the spoken word was a primary means of communication, and its impact was immediate and far-reaching. The tongue's power is not just in its ability to convey information but in its capacity to affect emotions, relationships, and even destinies. Scripturally, James 3:5-6 echoes this sentiment, comparing the tongue to a small spark that can set a great forest ablaze, emphasizing the need for careful and righteous speech.

and those who love it
This phrase refers to individuals who are fond of speaking or who take delight in using their words. The Hebrew root for "love" (אָהַב, ahav) implies a deep affection or attachment. In this context, it suggests that those who are passionate about speaking, whether for good or ill, will experience the consequences of their words. The Bible frequently warns against the misuse of speech, urging believers to speak truthfully and lovingly (Ephesians 4:15). This love for the tongue can be a double-edged sword, as it can lead to either the cultivation of life-giving words or the propagation of harmful speech.

will eat its fruit
The metaphor of "fruit" (פְּרִי, peri) is often used in Scripture to denote the results or outcomes of one's actions. Just as a tree bears fruit according to its kind, so do our words produce outcomes that align with their nature. The phrase "eat its fruit" implies that individuals will experience the consequences of their speech, whether beneficial or detrimental. This concept is consistent with the biblical principle of sowing and reaping (Galatians 6:7), where the nature of one's actions determines the nature of the outcomes. The proverb serves as a cautionary reminder that our words have lasting effects, and we must be mindful of the seeds we plant with our speech.

(21) Death and life are in the power of the tongue.--See above on Proverbs 4:23, where much the same power is attributed to the heart as is here given to the tongue as being its exponent. (Comp. also Proverbs 12:13.)

They that love it--i.e., to use it.

Verse 21. - Death and life are in the power of the tongue; literally, in the hand of the tongue. The tongue, according as it is used, deals forth life or death; for speech is the picture of the mind (comp. Proverbs 12:18; Proverbs 26:28). The vast importance of our words may be learned from James 3; and our blessed Lord says expressly (Matthew 12:36, etc.), "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned." Hence the gnome -

Γλῶσσα τύχη γλῶσσα δαίμων

intimating that the tongue is the real controller of man's destiny; and another -

Λόγῳ διοικεῖται βροτῶν βίος μόνῳ . . .

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Life
וְ֭חַיִּים (wə·ḥay·yîm)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 2416: Alive, raw, fresh, strong, life

and death
מָ֣וֶת (mā·weṯ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4194: Death, the dead, their place, state, pestilence, ruin

are in the power
בְּיַד־ (bə·yaḏ-)
Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3027: A hand

of the tongue,
לָשׁ֑וֹן (lā·šō·wn)
Noun - common singular
Strong's 3956: The tongue

and those who love [it]
וְ֝אֹהֲבֶ֗יהָ (wə·’ō·hă·ḇe·hā)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

will eat
יֹאכַ֥ל (yō·ḵal)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 398: To eat

its fruit.
פִּרְיָֽהּ׃ (pir·yāh)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular
Strong's 6529: Fruit


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 18:21 Death and life are in the power (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 18:20
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