Proverbs 18:21

Modern

Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Traditional

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

Literal

Death and life are in the hand of the tongue, and those loving it will eat its fruit.

Latin

Mors et vita in manu linguæ; qui diligunt eam comedent fructus ejus.

Hebrew

English

Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Life and death: Wise people speak thoughtfully (Proverbs 10:19; 11:12; 12:23) because they know words have consequences (13:3; 14:3).

Theme notes and profiles

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.
Matthew 12:35–37
The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Proverbs 10:19–21
When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
James 3:6–9
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.
Proverbs 13:2–3
From the fruit of his lips a man enjoys good things, but the desire of the faithless is violence.
Proverbs 10:31
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.
Proverbs 18:4–7
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Ecclesiastes 10:12–14
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.
Proverbs 12:13
An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech, but a righteous man escapes from trouble.
Isaiah 57:19
…bringing praise to their lips. Peace, peace to those far and near,” says the LORD, “and I will heal them.”
Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.