Bible Strands
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — The wisdom writer addresses a general audience in a didactic context, contrasting the speech patterns of the righteous with those of the wicked.
The words — יֶהְגֶּה (yeh.Geh) denotes deliberate pondering, while יַבִּיעַ (ya.Bi.a') describes an uncontrolled pouring forth of speech.
The thread — This contrast between measured speech and hasty utterance appears in Proverbs 29:11, Ecclesiastes 5:2, and 1 Peter 3:15, where preparedness and restraint are consistently linked to wisdom and reverence.
Why it lands — The text demands deliberate reflection before speaking and exposes the danger of unguarded words, requiring the reader to cultivate intentional speech habits rather than reactive outbursts.
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 heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Cross-references
- 1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts sanctify Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give a defense to everyone who asks you the reason for the hope that is in you. But respond with gentleness and respect,
- Proverbs 29:11 A fool vents all his anger, but a wise man holds it back.
- Ecclesiastes 5:2 Do not be quick to speak, and do not be hasty in your heart to utter a word before God. For God is in heaven and you are on earth. So let your words be few.
- Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
- James 3:6 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 15:2 The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
- Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.
- Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who speaks in haste? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
- Ecclesiastes 5:6 Do not let your mouth cause your flesh to sin, and do not tell the messenger that your vow was a mistake. Why should God be angry with your words and destroy the work of your hands?
- Ecclesiastes 10:12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.