Proverbs 20:15
New International Version
Gold there is, and rubies in abundance, but lips that speak knowledge are a rare jewel.

New Living Translation
Wise words are more valuable than much gold and many rubies.

English Standard Version
There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Berean Standard Bible
There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.

King James Bible
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

New King James Version
There is gold and a multitude of rubies, But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

New American Standard Bible
There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

NASB 1995
There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

NASB 1977
There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; But the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

Legacy Standard Bible
There is gold, and an abundance of pearls; But the lips of knowledge are a more precious vessel.

Amplified Bible
There is gold, and an abundance of pearls, But the lips of knowledge are a vessel of preciousness [the most precious of all].

Christian Standard Bible
There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
There is gold and a multitude of jewels, but knowledgeable lips are a rare treasure.

American Standard Version
There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Contemporary English Version
Sensible words are better than gold or jewels.

English Revised Version
There is gold, and abundance of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
There are gold and plenty of jewels, but the lips of knowledge are precious gems.

Good News Translation
If you know what you are talking about, you have something more valuable than gold or jewels.

International Standard Version
There is an abundance of gold and precious stones, but lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.

Majority Standard Bible
There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure.

NET Bible
There is gold, and an abundance of rubies, but words of knowledge are like a precious jewel.

New Heart English Bible
There is gold and abundance of rubies; but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.

Webster's Bible Translation
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

World English Bible
There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Substance, gold, and a multitude of rubies, "" Indeed, a precious vessel, [are] lips of knowledge.

Young's Literal Translation
Substance, gold, and a multitude of rubies, Yea, a precious vessel, are lips of knowledge.

Smith's Literal Translation
There is gold and a multitude of pearls: and a precious vessel the lips of knowledge.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
There is gold, and a multitude of jewels: but the lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.

Catholic Public Domain Version
There is gold, and there are a multitude of jewels. But lips of knowledge are a precious vessel.

New American Bible
One can put on gold and abundant jewels, but wise lips are the most precious ornament.

New Revised Standard Version
There is gold, and abundance of costly stones; but the lips informed by knowledge are a precious jewel.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Again he says, Here is gold and a multitude of precious stones and precious vessels; but the lips of knowledge are precious jewels.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
But let him say, "Here is gold and a multitude of precious stones and valuable vessels, and the lips of knowledge.”
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
There is gold, and a multitude of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Wine is a Mocker
14“Worthless, worthless!” says the buyer, but on the way out, he gloats. 15There is an abundance of gold and rubies, but lips of knowledge are a rare treasure. 16Take the garment of the one who posts security for a stranger; get collateral if it is for a foreigner.…

Cross References
Proverbs 3:13-15
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, / for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. / She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.

Proverbs 8:10-11
Receive my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold. / For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

Proverbs 16:16
How much better to acquire wisdom than gold! To gain understanding is more desirable than silver.

Job 28:12-19
But where can wisdom be found, and where does understanding dwell? / No man can know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. / The ocean depths say, ‘It is not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘It is not with me.’ ...

Matthew 13:44-46
The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and in his joy he went and sold all he had and bought that field. / Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls. / When he found one very precious pearl, he went away and sold all he had and bought it.

Colossians 2:2-3
that they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, / in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

James 3:13-18
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. / But if you harbor bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast in it or deny the truth. / Such wisdom does not come from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. ...

Proverbs 2:1-6
My son, if you accept my words and hide my commandments within you, / if you incline your ear to wisdom and direct your heart to understanding, / if you truly call out to insight and lift your voice to understanding, ...

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is supreme; so acquire wisdom. And whatever you may acquire, gain understanding.

Ecclesiastes 7:12
For wisdom, like money, is a shelter, and the advantage of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of its owner.

1 Corinthians 1:24
but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Ephesians 1:17-18
that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you a spirit of wisdom and revelation in your knowledge of Him. / I ask that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you may know the hope of His calling, the riches of His glorious inheritance in the saints,

Proverbs 10:20
The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.

Proverbs 25:11-12
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. / Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.

Isaiah 33:6
He will be the sure foundation for your times, a storehouse of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge. The fear of the LORD is Zion’s treasure.


Treasury of Scripture

There is gold, and a multitude of rubies: but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.

but

Proverbs 3:15
She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

Proverbs 8:11
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.

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

Jump to Previous
Abundance Corals Costly Gold Great Jewel Jewels Lips Multitude Precious Price Rare Rubies Speak Stones Store Substance Vessel
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Abundance Corals Costly Gold Great Jewel Jewels Lips Multitude Precious Price Rare Rubies Speak Stones Store Substance Vessel
Proverbs 20
1. Proper Living














There is gold
The mention of "gold" here immediately draws our attention to one of the most universally recognized symbols of wealth and value. In the ancient world, gold was not only a medium of exchange but also a representation of divine favor and kingship. The Hebrew word for gold, "זָהָב" (zahav), is often used in the Old Testament to describe the splendor of the temple and the wealth of kings like Solomon. This sets the stage for a comparison between material wealth and something of even greater value.

and abundance of rubies
Rubies, along with other precious stones, were highly prized in biblical times. The Hebrew word "פְּנִינִים" (peninim) can refer to various precious stones, often translated as "rubies" or "pearls." These gems were symbols of beauty and rarity, often used in royal adornments. The phrase "abundance of rubies" suggests a wealth that is both beautiful and plentiful, yet the verse implies that even such abundance pales in comparison to what follows.

but lips of knowledge
The "lips of knowledge" are contrasted with the material wealth of gold and rubies. In Hebrew, "דַּעַת" (da'at) refers to knowledge that is not merely intellectual but also moral and spiritual. The "lips" symbolize the expression of this knowledge, indicating that true wisdom is not just possessed internally but shared externally. This phrase emphasizes the value of wisdom and understanding, which are gifts from God and are to be used for the edification of others.

are a rare treasure
The rarity of this "treasure" is underscored by the Hebrew word "מִכְרָה" (mikhrah), which can mean "possession" or "treasure." Unlike gold and rubies, which can be amassed and displayed, the treasure of knowledgeable speech is rare and precious because it reflects a heart aligned with God's wisdom. This treasure is not subject to market fluctuations or theft; it is eternal and divine in nature. The verse encourages the pursuit of wisdom and understanding as the highest form of wealth, aligning with the broader biblical theme that true riches are found in a life lived according to God's principles.

(15) Rubies.--See above on Proverbs 3:15.

Lips of knowledge.--See above on Proverbs 18:4.

Verse 15. - There is gold, and a multitude of rubies. For peninim, which is rendered "rubies," "pearls," or "coral," see on Proverbs 3:15. There is gold which is precious, and there is abundance of pearls which are still more valuable. But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel, and worth more than all. We had the expression, "lips of knowledge," in Proverbs 14:7; it means lips that utter wisdom. Keli, often translated "jewel" in the Authorized Version, also boars the meaning of "vessel," "utensil." So here the Vulgate, vas pretiosum; and the wise man's lips are called a vessel because they contain and distribute the wisdom that is within. (On the excellence and value of wisdom, see ch. Proverbs 3:14, etc; Proverbs 8:11, etc.) Connecting this with the preceding verse, we are led to the thought of buying, and the Lord's parable of the merchant seeking goodly pearls, and bartering all his wealth to gain possession of a worthy jewel (Matthew 13:45, etc.).

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
There is
יֵ֣שׁ (yêš)
Adverb
Strong's 3426: Being, substance, existence, is

gold
זָ֭הָב (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky

and abundance
וְרָב־ (wə·rāḇ-)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7230: Multitude, abundance, greatness

of rubies,
פְּנִינִ֑ים (pə·nî·nîm)
Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6443: A pearl

but lips
שִׂפְתֵי־ (śip̄·ṯê-)
Noun - fdc
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

of knowledge
דָֽעַת׃ (ḏā·‘aṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 1847: Knowledge

are a rare
יְ֝קָ֗ר (yə·qār)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3366: Value, wealth, costliness, dignity

treasure.
וּכְלִ֥י (ū·ḵə·lî)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3627: Something prepared, any apparatus


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 20:15 There is gold and abundance of rubies (Prov. Pro Pr)
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