Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor. New Living Translation Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. English Standard Version A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a war club, or a sword, or a sharp arrow. Berean Standard Bible Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. King James Bible A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. New King James Version A man who bears false witness against his neighbor Is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow. New American Standard Bible Like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow Is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor. NASB 1995 Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. NASB 1977 Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. Legacy Standard Bible Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow Is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. Amplified Bible Like a club and a sword and a piercing arrow Is a man who testifies falsely against his neighbor (acquaintance). Christian Standard Bible A person giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. Holman Christian Standard Bible A man giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. American Standard Version A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor Is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. Contemporary English Version Telling lies about friends is like attacking them with clubs and swords and sharp arrows. English Revised Version A man that beareth false witness against his neighbour is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. GOD'S WORD® Translation [Like] a club and a sword and a sharp arrow, [so] is a person who gives false testimony against his neighbor. Good News Translation A false accusation is as deadly as a sword, a club, or a sharp arrow. International Standard Version A club, a sword, and a sharp arrow— that's what a man is who lies about his neighbor. Majority Standard Bible Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor. NET Bible Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow, so is the one who testifies against his neighbor as a false witness. New Heart English Bible A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. Webster's Bible Translation A man that beareth false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. World English Bible A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionA maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, "" [Is] the man testifying a false testimony against his neighbor. Young's Literal Translation A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, Is the man testifying against his neighbour a false testimony. Smith's Literal Translation A mallet and a sword and an arrow sharpened, the man answering against his neighbor testimony of falsehood. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleA man that beareth false witness against his neighbour, is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow. Catholic Public Domain Version A man who speaks false testimony against his neighbor is like a dart and a sword and a sharp arrow. New American Bible A club, sword, or sharp arrow— the one who bears false witness against a neighbor. New Revised Standard Version Like a war club, a sword, or a sharp arrow is one who bears false witness against a neighbor. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleA man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like an iron bar, a sword, and a sharp arrow. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated Like a club, a sword and a sharp arrow, so is a man that testifies false testimony against his neighbor. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917As a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow, So is a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour. Brenton Septuagint Translation As a club, and a dagger, and a pointed arrow, so also is a man who bears false witness against his friend. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context More Proverbs of Solomon…17Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house, lest he grow weary and hate you. 18Like a club or sword or sharp arrow is a man who bears FALSE witness against his neighbor. 19Like a broken tooth or a foot out of joint is confidence in a faithless man in time of trouble.… Cross References James 3:6-8 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, / but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. Ephesians 4:25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another. Psalm 52:2-4 Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue. 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.” Exodus 20:16 You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. Colossians 3:9 Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices, Psalm 120:2-4 Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue. / What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue? / Sharp arrows will come from the warrior, with burning coals of the broom tree! 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. Leviticus 19:11 You must not steal. You must not lie or deceive one another. Romans 1:29-30 They have become filled with every kind of wickedness, evil, greed, and depravity. They are full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, and malice. They are gossips, / slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant, and boastful. They invent new forms of evil; they disobey their parents. Psalm 101:5 Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, I will put to silence; the one with haughty eyes and a proud heart, I will not endure. Revelation 21:8 But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.” Jeremiah 9:3-5 “They bend their tongues like bows; lies prevail over truth in the land. For they proceed from evil to evil, and they do not take Me into account,” declares the LORD. / “Let everyone guard against his neighbor; do not trust any brother, for every brother deals craftily, and every friend spreads slander. / Each one betrays his friend; no one tells the truth. They have taught their tongues to lie; they wear themselves out committing iniquity. 1 Timothy 1:9-10 We realize that law is not enacted for the righteous, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and profane, for killers of father or mother, for murderers, / for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave traders and liars and perjurers, and for anyone else who is averse to sound teaching Psalm 34:13 Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech. Treasury of Scripture A man that bears false witness against his neighbor is a maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow. Proverbs 12:18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. Psalm 52:2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp rasor, working deceitfully. Psalm 55:21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. Jump to Previous Arrow Beareth Bears Club False. Gives Maul Neighbor Neighbour Sharp Sword Testimony War WitnessJump to Next Arrow Beareth Bears Club False. Gives Maul Neighbor Neighbour Sharp Sword Testimony War WitnessProverbs 25 1. observations about kings8. and about avoiding causes of quarrels Like a club or sword or sharp arrow This phrase uses vivid imagery to describe the destructive power of false testimony. In ancient times, a club, sword, and sharp arrow were common weapons of war, each capable of causing significant harm. The club represents blunt force, the sword signifies precision and lethality, and the sharp arrow indicates long-range impact. These weapons symbolize the various ways false words can damage relationships and reputations. The Bible often uses weapon imagery to describe the tongue's power, as seen in James 3:6, which compares the tongue to a fire capable of great destruction. is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonTraditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. He compiled these sayings to impart wisdom and understanding. 2. False Witness This refers to a person who gives false testimony or lies about another, particularly in a legal or formal setting. In ancient Israel, bearing false witness was a serious offense with significant social and legal implications. 3. Neighbor In the context of Proverbs, a neighbor is not just someone who lives nearby but any fellow member of the community. The term emphasizes the relational aspect and the duty of care and truthfulness owed to others. Teaching Points The Power of WordsWords can be as destructive as physical weapons. Just as a club, sword, or arrow can cause physical harm, false testimony can damage reputations, relationships, and communities. The Call to Integrity Christians are called to be people of integrity, reflecting God's truthfulness in their speech and actions. Bearing false witness is contrary to the character of God and the teachings of Christ. Community Responsibility As members of a community, believers have a responsibility to uphold truth and justice. False testimony not only harms individuals but undermines the trust and cohesion of the entire community. Guarding the Tongue Believers must be vigilant in guarding their speech, ensuring that their words build up rather than tear down. This requires self-control and a commitment to truth. Repentance and Reconciliation If one has borne false witness, it is crucial to seek forgiveness from God and those harmed, and to work towards reconciliation and restoration.(18) A maul--i.e., hammer, connected with "malleus" and "mallet." A false witness is as mischievous as the most deadly weapons.Verse 18. - Hebrew, A maul, and a sword, and a sharp arrow - a man that beareth false witness against his neighbour (see on Ver. 11). One who bears false witness against his neighbour prepares for him the instruments of death, such as those mentioned here. "A maul" (mephits), usually a heavy wooden hammer (compare malleus and "mallet"); here a club, or mace, used in battle, ῤόπαλον (Septuagint; comp. Jeremiah 51:20). There is a kind of climax in the three offensive weapons named - the club bruises, the sword inflicts wounds, the arrow pierces to the heart; and the three may represent the various baneful effects of false testimony, how it bruises reputation, spoils possessions, deprives of life. The second clause is from the Decalogue (Exodus 20:16). Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew [Like] a clubמֵפִ֣יץ (mê·p̄îṣ) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 4650: Scatterer, disperser or sword וְ֭חֶרֶב (wə·ḥe·reḇ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular Strong's 2719: Drought, a cutting instrument, as a, knife, sword or sharp שָׁנ֑וּן (šā·nūn) Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - masculine singular Strong's 8150: To point, to pierce, to inculcate arrow וְחֵ֣ץ (wə·ḥêṣ) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 2671: A piercer, an arrow, a wound, thunderbolt, the shaft of a, spear [is] a man אִ֥ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person who bears עֹנֶ֥ה (‘ō·neh) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular Strong's 6030: To answer, respond FALSE שָֽׁקֶר׃ (šā·qer) Noun - masculine singular Strong's 8267: Deception, disappointment, falsehood witness עֵ֣ד (‘êḏ) Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 5707: A witness, testimony, a recorder, prince against his neighbor. בְ֝רֵעֵ֗הוּ (ḇə·rê·‘ê·hū) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular Strong's 7453: Friend, companion, fellow Links Proverbs 25:18 NIVProverbs 25:18 NLT Proverbs 25:18 ESV Proverbs 25:18 NASB Proverbs 25:18 KJV Proverbs 25:18 BibleApps.com Proverbs 25:18 Biblia Paralela Proverbs 25:18 Chinese Bible Proverbs 25:18 French Bible Proverbs 25:18 Catholic Bible OT Poetry: Proverbs 25:18 A man who gives false testimony against (Prov. 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