Proverbs 8:6
New International Version
Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.

New Living Translation
Listen to me! For I have important things to tell you. Everything I say is right,

English Standard Version
Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right,

Berean Standard Bible
Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.

King James Bible
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

New King James Version
Listen, for I will speak of excellent things, And from the opening of my lips will come right things;

New American Standard Bible
“Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.

NASB 1995
“Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.

NASB 1977
“Listen, for I shall speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will produce right things.

Legacy Standard Bible
Listen, for I will speak noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal upright things.

Amplified Bible
“Listen, for I will speak excellent and noble things; And the opening of my lips will reveal right things.

Christian Standard Bible
Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Listen, for I speak of noble things, and what my lips say is right.

American Standard Version
Hear, for I will speak excellent things; And the opening of my lips shall be right things.

Contemporary English Version
Listen, because what I say is worthwhile and right.

English Revised Version
Hear, for I will speak excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Listen! I am speaking about noble things, and my lips will say what is right.

Good News Translation
Listen to my excellent words; all I tell you is right.

International Standard Version
Listen, because I have noble things to say, and what I have to say will reveal what is right.

Majority Standard Bible
Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right.

NET Bible
Listen, for I will speak excellent things, and my lips will utter what is right.

New Heart English Bible
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.

Webster's Bible Translation
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

World English Bible
Hear, for I will speak excellent things. The opening of my lips is for right things.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
Listen, for I speak noble things, "" And the opening of my lips [is] uprightness.

Young's Literal Translation
Hearken, for noble things I speak, And the opening of my lips is uprightness.

Smith's Literal Translation
Hear ye, for I will speak dear things; and the openings of my lips uprightnesses.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
Hear, for I will speak of great things: and my lips shall be opened to preach right things.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Listen, for I will speak about great things, and my lips will be opened, so as to foretell what is right.

New American Bible
Listen! for noble things I speak; my lips proclaim honest words.

New Revised Standard Version
Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
Hear, for I will speak truth; and the opening of my mouth shall bring forth uprightness.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Hear me, because it is truth that I speak, and my mouth opens with uprightness.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
Hear, for I will speak excellent things, And the opening of my lips shall be right things.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Hearken to me; for I will speak solemn truths; and will produce right sayings from my lips.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Excellence of Wisdom
5O simple ones, learn to be shrewd; O fools, gain understanding. 6Listen, for I speak of noble things, and the opening of my lips will reveal right. 7For my mouth will speak the truth, and wickedness is detestable to my lips.…

Cross References
James 3:17
But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.

Psalm 119:130
The unfolding of Your words gives light; it informs the simple.

Colossians 2:3
in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

John 7:16-18
“My teaching is not My own,” Jesus replied. “It comes from Him who sent Me. / If anyone desires to do His will, he will know whether My teaching is from God or whether I speak on My own. / He who speaks on his own authority seeks his own glory, but He who seeks the glory of the One who sent Him is a man of truth; in Him there is no falsehood.

Psalm 19:7-9
The Law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is trustworthy, making wise the simple. / The precepts of the LORD are right, bringing joy to the heart; the commandments of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes. / The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the judgments of the LORD are true, being altogether righteous.

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

Isaiah 55:3
Incline your ear and come to Me; listen, so that your soul may live. I will make with you an everlasting covenant—My loving devotion promised to David.

Matthew 7:28-29
When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were astonished at His teaching, / because He taught as one who had authority, and not as their scribes.

Psalm 37:30
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

John 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.

Psalm 49:3
My mouth will impart wisdom, and the meditation of my heart will bring understanding.

1 Corinthians 2:6-7
Among the mature, however, we speak a message of wisdom—but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. / No, we speak of the mysterious and hidden wisdom of God, which He destined for our glory before time began.

Isaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.

Luke 4:22
All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that came from His lips. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” they asked.

Psalm 78:1-2
A Maskil of Asaph. Give ear, O my people, to my instruction; listen to the words of my mouth. / I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the beginning,


Treasury of Scripture

Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.

for

Proverbs 2:6,7
For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding…

Proverbs 4:2,20,22
For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law…

Proverbs 22:20,21
Have not I written to thee excellent things in counsels and knowledge, …

the opening

Job 33:1-3
Wherefore, Job, I pray thee, hear my speeches, and hearken to all my words…

Matthew 5:2
And he opened his mouth, and taught them, saying,

Matthew 7:28,29
And it came to pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his doctrine: …

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Ear Excellent Hear Hearken Lips Noble Open Opening Reveal Right Speak True. Upright Uprightness Words Worthy
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Proverbs 8
1. the fame
6. and evidence of wisdom
10. The excellence
12. the nature
15. the power
18. the riches
22. and the eternity of wisdom
32. Wisdom is to be desired for the blessedness it brings














Listen
The call to "listen" is a common exhortation in wisdom literature, emphasizing the importance of heeding instruction. In the Hebrew context, listening implies obedience and a readiness to act upon what is heard. This aligns with the Shema in Deuteronomy 6:4, where Israel is called to hear and obey God's commandments. The act of listening is foundational to acquiring wisdom, as seen throughout Proverbs.

For I speak of noble things
The speaker, personified as Wisdom, claims to speak of "noble things," which refers to matters of high moral and ethical value. In the ancient Near Eastern context, nobility was associated with righteousness and integrity. This phrase suggests that the teachings of wisdom are not only practical but also elevate one's character. The noble things can be seen as aligning with the virtues extolled in Philippians 4:8, where believers are encouraged to think on things that are true, honorable, and just.

And the opening of my lips will reveal right
The phrase indicates that what Wisdom speaks is inherently true and just. The "opening of my lips" suggests a deliberate and thoughtful communication, contrasting with the careless words of the foolish. In biblical terms, "right" often refers to righteousness and justice, key themes in the prophetic literature, such as in Isaiah 1:17, where the call is to seek justice and correct oppression. This aligns with the character of Jesus Christ, who is described as the embodiment of truth and righteousness in John 14:6 and 1 Corinthians 1:30.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
- Traditionally attributed as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom.

2. Wisdom
- Personified in Proverbs 8, Wisdom is depicted as a woman calling out to people, offering guidance and understanding.

3. The Gates of the City
- In ancient times, city gates were places of gathering and decision-making, symbolizing where wisdom is needed and shared.
Teaching Points
The Call to Listen
Wisdom calls us to actively listen. In a world full of noise, discerning the voice of wisdom requires intentional focus and a heart open to God's truth.

Noble Speech
Our words should reflect the nobility and righteousness of wisdom. As believers, we are called to speak truth and life, aligning our speech with God's standards.

The Source of Wisdom
True wisdom comes from God. By seeking His guidance through prayer and Scripture, we align ourselves with His noble and righteous ways.

Practical Application of Wisdom
Wisdom is not just theoretical; it is practical and applicable to daily life. We are encouraged to apply wisdom in our decisions, relationships, and actions.

The Impact of Right Speech
Our words have power. Speaking with wisdom can influence others positively and bring glory to God. We should strive to be conduits of His truth and love.(6) The opening of my lips shall be right things.--That is, I will open my mouth to speak them.

Verse 6. - I will speak of excellent things; de rebus magnis, Vulgate; σεμνὰ γὰρ ἐρῶ, Septuagint. The Hebrew nagid is elsewhere used of persons; e.g. a prince, leader (1 Samuel 9:16; 1 Chronicles 26:24); so it may here be best translated "princely," "noble" - an epithet which the subject matter of Wisdom's discourse fully confirms (comp. Proverbs 22:20, though the word there is different). Hitzig and others, following the Syriac, prefer the meaning, "plain, evident truths" (comp. ver. 9); but the former interpretation is most suitable. The opening of my lips shall be right things. That which I announce when I open my mouth is just and right (Proverbs 23:16). Septuagint.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Listen,
שִׁ֭מְעוּ (mə·‘ū)
Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine plural
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

I speak
אֲדַבֵּ֑ר (’ă·ḏab·bêr)
Verb - Piel - Imperfect - first person common singular
Strong's 1696: To arrange, to speak, to subdue

of noble things,
נְגִידִ֣ים (nə·ḡî·ḏîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5057: A commander, civil, military, religious, honorable themes

and the opening
וּמִפְתַּ֥ח (ū·mip̄·taḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4669: An aperture, utterance

of my lips
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗י (p̄ā·ṯay)
Noun - fdc | first person common singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin

[will reveal] right.
מֵישָׁרִֽים׃ (mê·šā·rîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4339: Evenness, prosperity, concord, straightness, rectitude


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 8:6 Hear for I will speak excellent things (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 8:5
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