Proverbs 10:32 kjv

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

Proverbs 10:32 nkjv

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, But the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

Proverbs 10:32 niv

The lips of the righteous know what finds favor, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.

Proverbs 10:32 esv

The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

Proverbs 10:32 nlt

The lips of the godly speak helpful words,
but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.

Proverbs 10 verses

Proverbs 10 32 Meaning

Proverbs 10:32 states a fundamental contrast between the righteous and the wicked concerning their speech. The righteous, guided by God's truth, understand and communicate what is pleasing and beneficial, fostering peace and favor. Conversely, the wicked's words are inherently twisted and destructive, revealing their corrupted heart and leading to discord and ruin.

Proverbs 10 32 Context

Proverbs chapter 10 marks the beginning of the major collection of Solomon's proverbs, largely composed of antithetical parallelisms. Each verse typically presents a sharp contrast between two ways of life, the righteous and the wicked, or wisdom and folly, and their respective outcomes. This chapter emphasizes the importance of wisdom, diligence, and upright character in contrast to the folly, laziness, and corruption of the wicked. Verse 32 fits squarely within this theme, specifically addressing the fruit of the heart expressed through speech. The cultural context views words as powerful, capable of building or destroying, reflecting one's inner being and moral standing within the community and before God.

Proverbs 10 32 Word analysis

• The lips of the righteous (שִׂפְתֵי צַדִּיק - siphtei tzaddiq):
  • Lips (siphtei): A metonymy for speech or the ability to speak. It refers to the organ through which words are expressed.
  • Righteous (tzaddiq): From the Hebrew root tsdq, signifying one who is just, upright, vindicated, acting in conformity with God's moral standards. This is not sinless perfection, but a genuine orientation towards God's will and truth in character and action. Their lips are thus instruments of a righteous heart.
• know what is acceptable (yada' ratzon):
  • Know (yada'): More than intellectual comprehension, this implies an experiential, practical, and intimate knowing. It means they understand how to speak in a manner that is pleasing, beneficial, and in line with truth.
  • Acceptable (ratzon): This Hebrew term means favor, good pleasure, delight, or acceptance. It denotes what is pleasing to God (His will) and what brings favor or goodwill in human relationships. The righteous know not only what is right, but also how to present it acceptably.
• but the mouth of the wicked (וּפִי רָשָׁע - uphi rasha):
  • Mouth (uphi): Another metonymy for speech, similar to "lips," highlighting the source of articulation.
  • Wicked (rasha): From the Hebrew rasha, describing someone who is guilty, lawless, rebellious against God, unrighteous, and estranged from divine truth. Their speech originates from a corrupt and rebellious inner state.
• speaks what is perverse (tahpukhot):
  • Perverse (tahpukhot): A strong word implying twistedness, distortion, error, frowardness, and deceit. Root signifies "to turn upside down" or "subvert." It indicates speech that is fundamentally contrary to truth, justice, and order, causing disruption and harm.
  • Words-Group Analysis:
    • "The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable": This phrase emphasizes discerning speech that understands proper timing, tone, and content, resulting in words that find favor, build up, and bring reconciliation. It signifies wisdom applied to communication.
    • "but the mouth of the wicked speaks what is perverse": This stark contrast highlights destructive speech. The wicked's words are inherently manipulative, deceitful, and aim to corrupt or overturn truth and goodness. This reveals a heart hostile to God's order and truth.

Proverbs 10 32 Bonus section

The wisdom tradition of the Bible places immense emphasis on speech as a reflection of inner character. This verse not only highlights what is said, but also the understanding behind it for the righteous, contrasting with the fundamental nature of the words of the wicked. The yada' (know) for the righteous implies a proactive, wise discernment that seeks to produce beneficial speech, whereas the tahpukhot (perverse) of the wicked signifies that their speech is perverse in its very essence and intent. This illustrates that our words are not neutral but are infused with the moral quality of our hearts, making the control of the tongue an essential spiritual discipline that flows from an ongoing transformation of character.

Proverbs 10 32 Commentary

Proverbs 10:32 illuminates the intrinsic link between one's character and the nature of their communication. The righteous individual, whose heart is aligned with God's truth, possesses a spiritual discernment that enables them to speak words that are constructive, appropriate, and pleasing—both to God and to those who hear. Their words carry grace and wisdom, building bridges and promoting harmony because they originate from a place of integrity and spiritual insight.

Conversely, the wicked's speech is a mirror of their inner corruption. Their mouth is an instrument of deceit, perversity, and hostility, leading to conflict, misunderstanding, and ruin. They twist truth, engage in slander, and use words to manipulate or harm. This proverb therefore calls believers to cultivate righteousness, recognizing that purified hearts lead to pure and edifying speech, a powerful testament to the transformative work of God within them. The challenge is not merely to control the tongue, but to allow God to transform the heart from which all speech originates.

Examples:

• The righteous wisely offer words of comfort and truth in a difficult situation.
• The wicked might spread rumors or sow discord, distorting facts to suit their malicious ends.