Bible Strands
Proverbs 10:31
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The text offers a general proverbial contrast between two kinds of speech without identifying a specific speaker, audience, or historical moment.
The words — The Hebrew term תַ֝הְפֻּכ֗וֹת (tah.pu.Khot) translates literally to "perversities," describing a twisted tongue that the text states will be cut off.
The thread — The parallel contrast between righteous speech producing wisdom and corrupt speech facing judgment runs through Psalms 37:30, Proverbs 10:13, and Proverbs 10:20.
Why it lands — The text states that consistent wisdom flows from a righteous character while corrupt words invite destructive consequences, demanding the reader align their speech with moral integrity rather than self-indulgence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
Cross-references
- Psalms 37:30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.
- Proverbs 10:13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment.
- Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.
- Psalms 31:18 May lying lips be silenced—lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt.
- Psalms 63:11 But the king will rejoice in God; all who swear by Him will exult, for the mouths of liars will be shut.
- Psalms 120:3 What will He do to you, and what will be added to you, O deceitful tongue?
- Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.