Bible Strands
Proverbs 12:17
He who speaks the truth declares what is right, but a false witness speaks deceit.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom teacher addresses a general audience within a structured collection of ethical instructions, positioning this maxim between a warning about uncontrolled anger and a caution against rash speech.
The words — אֱמוּנָה ('E.mu.nah) means faithfulness or steadfast truth, while מִרְמָֽה (mir.Mah) denotes calculated deceit.
The thread — This contrast between truthful declaration and deceitful speech appears in Proverbs 14:5, Proverbs 14:25, and Proverbs 6:19.
Why it lands — The text requires a reader to align speech with moral reality rather than personal convenience, recognizing that honest words establish justice while deceitful words destroy trust.
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
He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.
Cross-references
- Proverbs 14:5 An honest witness does not deceive, but a dishonest witness pours forth lies.
- Proverbs 14:25 A truthful witness saves lives, but one who utters lies is deceitful.
- Proverbs 6:19 a false witness who gives false testimony, and one who stirs up discord among brothers.
- Proverbs 24:28 Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.
- Proverbs 19:5 A false witness will not go unpunished, and one who utters lies will not escape.
- Proverbs 19:28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and a wicked mouth swallows iniquity.
- Proverbs 21:28 A lying witness will perish, but the man who listens to truth will speak forever.
- Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, and slander.
- 1 Samuel 22:14 Ahimelech answered the king, “Who among all your servants is as faithful as David, the king’s son-in-law, the captain of your bodyguard and honored in your house?
- Matthew 26:59 Now the chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were seeking false testimony against Jesus in order to put Him to death.