Proverbs 25:15
New International Version
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

New Living Translation
Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can break bones.

English Standard Version
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone.

Berean Standard Bible
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

King James Bible
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

New King James Version
By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

New American Standard Bible
Through patience a ruler may be persuaded, And a gentle tongue breaks bone.

NASB 1995
By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.

NASB 1977
By forbearance a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.

Legacy Standard Bible
When one is slow to anger, a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft tongue breaks the bone.

Amplified Bible
By patience and a calm spirit a ruler may be persuaded, And a soft and gentle tongue breaks the bone [of resistance].

Christian Standard Bible
A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

American Standard Version
By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

Contemporary English Version
Patience and gentle talk can convince a ruler and overcome any problem.

English Revised Version
By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
With patience you can persuade a ruler, and a soft tongue can break bones.

Good News Translation
Patient persuasion can break down the strongest resistance and can even convince rulers.

International Standard Version
Through patience a ruler may be persuaded; a gentle word can break a bone.

Majority Standard Bible
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.

NET Bible
Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone.

New Heart English Bible
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.

Webster's Bible Translation
By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

World English Bible
By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
A ruler is persuaded by long-suffering, "" And a soft tongue breaks a bone.

Young's Literal Translation
By long-suffering is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh a bone.

Smith's Literal Translation
In slowness to anger shall the prince be persuaded, and the soft tongue shall break the bones.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
By patience a prince shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.

Catholic Public Domain Version
By patience, a leader shall be appeased, and a soft tongue shall break hardness.

New American Bible
By patience is a ruler persuaded, and a soft tongue can break a bone.

New Revised Standard Version
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue can break bones.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
By long forbearing, a ruler is persuaded; and a soft tongue breaks the bones.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
In patience soothe a Ruler, and with a soft tongue break bones.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
By long forbearing is a ruler persuaded, And a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
In long-suffering is prosperity to kings, and a soft tongue breaks the bones.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
More Proverbs of Solomon
14Like clouds and wind without rain is the man who boasts of gifts never given. 15Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone. 16If you find honey, eat just what you need, lest you have too much and vomit it up.…

Cross References
James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

Ecclesiastes 10:4
If the ruler’s temper flares against you, do not abandon your post, for calmness lays great offenses to rest.

Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Matthew 5:9
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.

1 Peter 3:15
But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,

Proverbs 16:32
He who is slow to anger is better than a warrior, and he who controls his temper is greater than one who captures a city.

2 Timothy 2:24-25
And a servant of the Lord must not be quarrelsome, but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, and forbearing. / He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.

Galatians 5:22-23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, / gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Proverbs 21:14
A gift in secret soothes anger, and a covert bribe pacifies great wrath.

Romans 12:18
If it is possible on your part, live at peace with everyone.

Ephesians 4:2
with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love,

Proverbs 14:29
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man promotes folly.

Colossians 3:12-13
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, clothe yourselves with hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. / Bear with one another and forgive any complaint you may have against someone else. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

Proverbs 19:11
A man’s insight gives him patience, and his virtue is to overlook an offense.

1 Thessalonians 5:14
And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.


Treasury of Scripture

By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone.

long

Proverbs 15:1
A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

Proverbs 16:14
The wrath of a king is as messengers of death: but a wise man will pacify it.

Genesis 32:4
And he commanded them, saying, Thus shall ye speak unto my lord Esau; Thy servant Jacob saith thus, I have sojourned with Laban, and stayed there until now:

the bone

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Bone Break Breaketh Breaks Broken Forbearance Forbearing Gentle Judge Long-Suffering Moved Patience Persuaded Prince Protest Ruler Soft Time Tongue Undergoes Wrongs
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Bone Break Breaketh Breaks Broken Forbearance Forbearing Gentle Judge Long-Suffering Moved Patience Persuaded Prince Protest Ruler Soft Time Tongue Undergoes Wrongs
Proverbs 25
1. observations about kings
8. and about avoiding causes of quarrels














Through patience
The Hebrew word for "patience" here is "אָרֵךְ" (arek), which conveys the idea of long-suffering or forbearance. In the context of ancient Israel, patience was a virtue highly esteemed, especially in leadership and governance. The ability to wait and endure without immediate reaction was seen as a strength. This patience is not passive but active, involving a steadfastness that can influence even those in positions of power. In a conservative Christian perspective, patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), reflecting God's own patience with humanity.

a ruler
The term "ruler" in Hebrew is "קָצִין" (qatsin), which refers to a leader or official. In the historical context of the Old Testament, rulers were often kings or judges who held significant authority. The verse suggests that even those with great power can be influenced by the persistent and patient efforts of others. This reflects the biblical principle that God can work through anyone, regardless of their status, to achieve His purposes.

can be persuaded
The Hebrew word "יֵפָתֶה" (yefateh) means to be enticed or convinced. This implies that persuasion is not about force but about winning someone over through reasoned argument or gentle persistence. In the biblical narrative, persuasion is often seen as a tool for righteousness, as seen in the accounts of Esther or Daniel, who used wisdom and patience to influence kings.

and a gentle tongue
The phrase "gentle tongue" uses the Hebrew "לָשׁוֹן רַכָּה" (lashon rakkah), which literally means a soft or tender tongue. This imagery suggests that words spoken with kindness and humility have great power. In the ancient Near Eastern culture, where honor and shame were significant, a gentle approach could disarm hostility and open doors for dialogue. From a Christian perspective, this aligns with the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized love and gentleness in communication (Matthew 5:5).

can break a bone
The phrase "break a bone" uses the Hebrew "תִּשְׁבָּר־עֶצֶם" (tishbar etzem), which is a metaphor for overcoming strong resistance or stubbornness. Bones are among the hardest substances in the body, symbolizing something seemingly unyielding. The verse suggests that gentle words can achieve what might seem impossible, breaking through hard-heartedness or entrenched positions. This is a powerful reminder of the transformative power of grace-filled speech, echoing the New Testament exhortation to speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

Verse 15. - By long forbearing; i.e. by patience, calmness that does not break out into passion whatever be the provocation, even, it is implied, in the face of a false and malicious accusation (comp. Proverbs 14:29). Is a prince persuaded. Katson is rather "an arbiter," or judge, than "a prince," and the proverb says that such an officer is led to take a favourable view of an accused person's case when he sees him calm and composed, ready to explain the matter without any undue heat or irritation, keeping steadily to the point, and not seduced by calumny or misrepresentation to forget himself and lose his temper. Such a bearing presupposes innocence and weighs favourably with the judge. The LXX. makes the gnome apply to monarchs alone, "In long suffering is prosperity unto kings." A soft tongue breaketh the bone. A soft answer (Proverbs 15:1), gentle, conciliating words, overcome opposition, and disarm the most determined enemy, and make tender in him that which was hardest and most uncompromising. "Gutta cavat lapidem, non vi, sed saepe cadendo." Similar proverbs are found elsewhere, though probably in a different sense. Thus in modern Greek, "The tongue has no bones, yet it breaks bones;" in Turkish, "The tongue has no bone, yet it crushes;" again, "One drop of honey," says the Turk, "catches more bees than a ton of vinegar."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Through patience
בְּאֹ֣רֶךְ (bə·’ō·reḵ)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 753: Length

a ruler
קָצִ֑ין (qā·ṣîn)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 7101: A magistrate, other leader

can be persuaded,
יְפֻתֶּ֣ה (yə·p̄ut·teh)
Verb - Pual - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6601: To open, be, roomy, to be, simple, delude

and a gentle
רַ֝כָּ֗ה (rak·kāh)
Adjective - feminine singular
Strong's 7390: Tender, delicate, soft

tongue
וְלָשׁ֥וֹן (wə·lā·šō·wn)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - common singular
Strong's 3956: The tongue

can break
תִּשְׁבָּר־ (tiš·bār-)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7665: To break, break in pieces

a bone.
גָּֽרֶם׃ (gā·rem)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1634: A bone, self, very


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