Proverbs 17:7

In 11 translations

BSB

Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

KJV

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.Excellent…: Heb. A lip of excellencylying…: Heb. a lip of lying

WEB

Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

ASV

Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

LSV

A lip of excellence is not fitting for a fool, much less a lip of falsehood for a noble.

YLT

Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.

DBY

Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!

DRC

Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.

GNV

Hie talke becommeth not a foole, much lesse a lying talke a prince.

JPS

Overbearing speech becometh not a churl; much less do lying lips a prince.

LXXE

Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.

Word by word Hebrew · tap a word

Words in brackets are English the glossers added; the Hebrew has no word for them, and they can carry a choice of tense or meaning.

Original-language editions

WLC

לֹא־נָאוָ֣ה לְנָבָ֣ל שְׂפַת־יֶ֑תֶר אַ֝֗ף כִּֽי־לְנָדִ֥יב שְׂפַת־שָֽׁקֶר׃

LXX-Br

Οὐχ ἁρμόσει ἄφρονι χείλη πιστὰ, οὐδὲ δικαίῳ χείλη ψευδῆ.

In the reference works topics that cite this verse

From public-domain Bible dictionaries and topical indexes (1884–1915).

Cross-references most cited first

• Proverbs 29:12If a ruler listens to lies, all his officials will be wicked.
• Psalms 50:16–17To the wicked, however, God says, “What right have you to recite My statutes and to bear My covenant on your lips? For you hate My instruction and cast My words behind you.
• Proverbs 26:7Like lame legs hanging limp is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.
• 2 Samuel 23:3The God of Israel spoke; the Rock of Israel said to me, ‘He who rules the people with justice, who rules in the fear of God,
• Psalms 101:3–5I will set no worthless thing before my eyes. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me. A perverse heart shall depart from me; I will know nothing of evil. Whoever slanders his neighbor in…
• Proverbs 16:10–13A divine verdict is on the lips of a king; his mouth must not betray justice. Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern. Wicked behavior is detestable to kings, for a…
• Matthew 7:5You hypocrite! First take the beam out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.
• Proverbs 12:19Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.
• Job 34:12Indeed, it is true that God does not act wickedly, and the Almighty does not pervert justice.

From the OpenBible.info cross-reference set (votes from readers; not every link is a quotation or allusion).