Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. New Living Translation Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble. English Standard Version Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Berean Standard Bible He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. King James Bible Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. New King James Version Whoever guards his mouth and tongue Keeps his soul from troubles. New American Standard Bible One who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. NASB 1995 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. NASB 1977 He who guards his mouth and his tongue, Guards his soul from troubles. Legacy Standard Bible He who keeps his mouth and his tongue, Keeps his soul from troubles. Amplified Bible He who guards his mouth and his tongue Guards himself from troubles. Christian Standard Bible The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Holman Christian Standard Bible The one who guards his mouth and tongue keeps himself out of trouble. American Standard Version Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles. Contemporary English Version Watching what you say can save you a lot of trouble. English Revised Version Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. GOD'S WORD® Translation Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Good News Translation If you want to stay out of trouble, be careful what you say. International Standard Version Whoever watches his mouth and tongue keeps himself from trouble. Majority Standard Bible He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. NET Bible The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles. New Heart English Bible Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. Webster's Bible Translation Whoever keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles. World English Bible Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionWhoever is keeping his mouth and his tongue, "" Is keeping his soul from adversities. Young's Literal Translation Whoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul. Smith's Literal Translation He watching his mouth and his tongue watches his soul from straits. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleHe that keepeth his mouth and his tongue, keepeth his soul from distress. Catholic Public Domain Version Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue guards his soul from anguish. New American Bible Those who guard mouth and tongue guard themselves from trouble. New Revised Standard Version To watch over mouth and tongue is to keep out of trouble. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleHe who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from trouble. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles. Brenton Septuagint Translation He that keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from trouble. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context The King's Heart…22A wise man scales the city of the mighty and pulls down the stronghold in which they trust. 23He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress. 24Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man—of him who acts with excessive pride.… Cross References James 3:2 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. James 1:26 If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless. Proverbs 13:3 He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin. 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.” Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. 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. Colossians 4:6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone. 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 18:21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Matthew 15:11 A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” Proverbs 12:13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble. Proverbs 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Ecclesiastes 5:2-3 Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few. / As a dream comes through many cares, so the speech of a fool comes with many words. 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. Treasury of Scripture Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles. Proverbs 10:19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise. Proverbs 12:13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble. Proverbs 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction. Jump to Previous Adversities Calamity Guards Keepeth Keeping Keeps Mouth Soul Tongue Trouble Troubles WatchJump to Next Adversities Calamity Guards Keepeth Keeping Keeps Mouth Soul Tongue Trouble Troubles WatchProverbs 21 1. The king's heart in the hand of the LordHe who guards his mouth and tongue This phrase emphasizes the importance of self-control in speech. In biblical times, words held significant power, often determining one's reputation and relationships. The wisdom literature, including Proverbs, frequently addresses the tongue's potential for both good and harm (Proverbs 18:21). The concept of guarding one's speech is echoed in James 3:2-12, where the tongue is described as a small part of the body but capable of great influence. The imagery of guarding suggests vigilance and intentionality, akin to a watchman protecting a city. This aligns with the broader biblical theme of wisdom as a protective force, guiding believers to live righteously. keeps his soul from distress Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. His proverbs offer practical guidance for living a life that honors God. 2. Israel The nation to whom the Proverbs were originally given, representing God's chosen people who were to live according to His wisdom and commandments. 3. The Wise and the Foolish Throughout Proverbs, these two archetypes are used to contrast those who live by God's wisdom and those who reject it. Teaching Points Guarding Speech as a Spiritual DisciplineThe Hebrew word for "guards" (shamar) implies careful watching and protecting. As believers, we are called to be vigilant about our words, understanding their power to build up or tear down. The Connection Between Speech and the Soul The verse highlights that controlling our speech is directly linked to the well-being of our soul. Reckless words can lead to personal distress and relational strife. Practical Steps for Guarding the Tongue Engage in regular self-reflection and prayer, asking God for wisdom and self-control. Practice active listening and think before speaking, ensuring that words are edifying and truthful. The Role of the Holy Spirit Rely on the Holy Spirit to guide and convict us in our speech, producing the fruit of self-control as part of our sanctification process.(23) Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue, &c--See above on Proverbs 12:13.Verse 23. - We have had similar maxims before (Proverbs 13:8 and Proverbs 18:21, where see notes). He keepeth his mouth, who knows when to speak and when to be silent; and he keepeth his tongue, who says only what is to the purpose. We have all heard the proverb, "Speech is silver, silence is gold." One who thus takes heed of his words, keepeth his soul from troubles. The troubles (angores, Vulgate) are such as these - remorse for the evil occasioned, distress of conscience, vexation and strife with offended neighbours, danger of liberty and life, and, above all, the anger of God, and retribution in the judgment. Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew He who guardsשֹׁמֵ֣ר (šō·mêr) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to his mouth פִּ֭יו (pîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to and tongue וּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹ (ū·lə·šō·w·nōw) Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 3956: The tongue keeps שֹׁמֵ֖ר (šō·mêr) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 8104: To hedge about, guard, to protect, attend to his soul נַפְשֽׁוֹ׃ (nap̄·šōw) Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 5315: A soul, living being, life, self, person, desire, passion, appetite, emotion from distress. מִצָּר֣וֹת (miṣ·ṣā·rō·wṯ) Preposition-m | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 6869: Tightness, a female rival Links Proverbs 21:23 NIVProverbs 21:23 NLT Proverbs 21:23 ESV Proverbs 21:23 NASB Proverbs 21:23 KJV Proverbs 21:23 BibleApps.com Proverbs 21:23 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 21:23 Chinese Bible Proverbs 21:23 French Bible Proverbs 21:23 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 21:23 Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue (Prov. 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