Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
*†The words of a wise mans mouth are gratious: but the lips of a foole will swallow vp himselfe.
Original 1611 marginTranslation notes and cross-references are kept distinct.
- †Hebrew wordingHeb. grace.
- *Cross-referenceProu.10.32. and 12.13.
Narration uses the Pure Cambridge Edition.
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5 Essential passages are open for comparison.
From verse 12
- Colossians 4:6Rank 1 from verse 12
- Proverbs 15:2Rank 3 from verse 12
- Proverbs 22:11Rank 4 from verse 12
- Ephesians 4:29Rank 5 from verse 12
29Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
29Let no corrupt communication proceede out of your mouth, but that which is good ‖to the vse of edifying, that it may minister grace vnto the hearers.
- Proverbs 10:13–14Rank 6 from verse 12
13In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14Wise men lay up knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is near destruction.
13†In the lips of him that hath vnderstanding, wisedome is found: but a rod is for the backe of him that is voyd of vnderstanding.
14Wise men lay vp knowledge: but the mouth of the foolish is neere destruction.
- Proverbs 10:20–21Rank 7 from verse 12
20The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21The lips of the righteous feed many: but fools die for want of wisdom.
20The tongue of the iust is as choise siluer: the heart of the wicked is little worth.
21†The lippes of the righteous feed many: but fooles die for want of wisedome.
3Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
4Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
3Beholde, Thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weake hands.
4Thy words haue vpholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened †the feeble knees.
- Proverbs 10:31–32Rank 9 from verse 12
31The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.
32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.
31The mouth of the iust bringeth foorth wisedome: but the froward tongue shalbe cut out.
32†The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardnesse.
- Proverbs 22:17–18Rank 10 from verse 12
17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.
18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.
17Bow downe thine eare, and heare the words of the wise, and apply thine heart vnto my knowledge.
18†For it is a pleasant thing, if thou keepe them within thee; they shall withall be fitted in thy lippes.
- 1 Kings 20:40–42Rank 11 from verse 12
40And as thy servant was busy here and there, he was gone. And the king of Israel said unto him, So shall thy judgment be; thyself hast decided it.
41And he hasted, and took the ashes away from his face; and the king of Israel discerned him that he was of the prophets.
42And he said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Because thou hast let go out of thy hand a man whom I appointed to utter destruction, therefore thy life shall go for his life, and thy people for his people.
40And as thy seruant was busie here and there, †he was gone. And the king of Israel saide vnto him, So shall thy iudgement bee, thy selfe hast discided it.
41And he hasted, and tooke the ashes away from his face, and the king of Israel discerned him that hee was of the Prophets.
42And hee said vnto him, Thus saith the LORD, *Because thou hast let goe out of thy hand, a man whom I appointed to vtter destruction, therfore thy life shall goe for his life, and thy people for his people.
- 2 Samuel 1:16Rank 12 from verse 12
- Luke 19:22Rank 14 from verse 12
22And he saith unto him, Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant. Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking up that I laid not down, and reaping that I did not sow:
22And hee saith vnto him, Out of thine owne mouth will I iudge thee, thou wicked seruant: Thou knewest that I was an austere man, taking vp that I layde not downe, and reaping that I did not sow.
- Matthew 12:35Rank 15 from verse 12
35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart, bringeth foorth good things: and an euill man out of the euill treasure, bringeth foorth euill things.
- Proverbs 10:10Rank 16 from verse 12
- Proverbs 10:8Rank 17 from verse 12
- Proverbs 12:13–14Rank 18 from verse 12
13The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.
14A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man’s hands shall be rendered unto him.
13†*The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lippes: but the iust shall come out of trouble.
14*A man shall bee satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth, and the recompence of a mans hands shall bee rendred vnto him.
- Proverbs 12:18Rank 19 from verse 12
- Proverbs 15:23Rank 20 from verse 12
- Proverbs 16:21–24Rank 21 from verse 12
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; and the sweetnesse of the lips increaseth learning.
22*Understanding is a well-spring of life vnto him that hath it: but the instruction of fooles is folly.
23†The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lippes.
24Pleasant words are as an honycombe, sweete to the soule, and health to the bones.
- Proverbs 18:6–8Rank 22 from verse 12
6A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7A fool’s mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
8The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly.
6A fooles lips enter into contention, and his mouth calleth for strokes.
7*A fooles mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soule.
8*‖‖†The words of a tale bearer are as wounds, and they goe downe into the innermost parts of the belly.
- Proverbs 19:5Rank 23 from verse 12
- Proverbs 25:11–12Rank 24 from verse 12
11A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.
12As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
11†A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of siluer.
12 As an eare-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprouer vpon an obedient eare.
- Proverbs 26:9Rank 25 from verse 12
- Proverbs 31:26Rank 26 from verse 12
- Psalms 140:9Rank 27 from verse 12
- Psalms 37:30Rank 28 from verse 12
- Psalms 40:9–10Rank 29 from verse 12
9I have preached righteousness in the great congregation: lo, I have not refrained my lips, O Lord, thou knowest.
10I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.
9I haue preached righteousnesse in the great congregation: loe, I haue not refrained my lippes, O LORD, thou knowest.
10I haue not hid thy righteousnesse within my heart, I haue declared thy faithfulnesse and thy saluation: I haue not concealed thy louing kindnesse, and thy truth, from the great congregation.
- Psalms 64:8Rank 30 from verse 12
- Psalms 71:15–18Rank 31 from verse 12
15My mouth shall shew forth thy righteousness and thy salvation all the day; for I know not the numbers thereof.
16I will go in the strength of the Lord God: I will make mention of thy righteousness, even of thine only.
17O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works.
18Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.
15My mouth shall shew foorth thy righteousnesse, and thy saluation all the day: for I know not the numbers thereof.
16I will goe in the strength of the LORD God: I will make mention of thy righteousnesse, euen of thine onely.
17O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto haue I declared thy wonderous workes.
18††Now also when I am old and gray headed, O God, forsake me not: vntill I haue shewed thy strength vnto this generation, and thy power to euery one that is to come.
WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE
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DEFINED WORDS
Ecclesiastes 10:12
Spoken or written expressions, sayings, statements, messages, commands, promises, reports, or units of meaningful speech.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
1. A human being or person. 2. Mankind collectively. 3. A male person.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Showing favour, mercy, compassion, kindness, patience, or goodness; pleasant, acceptable, or benevolent in word or action.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893
Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828
Sense 1: The physical borders of the mouth. Sense 2: By extension, speech or utterance.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: A person lacking wisdom or moral understanding. Sense 2: As a verb, to act foolishly or deceive.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
Sense 1: A small bird. Sense 2: To take into the mouth and pass inward, consume, engulf, devour, or overwhelm.
Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references
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11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.
11†Surely the serpent will bite without inchauntment, and a babbler is no better.
12The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
12*†The words of a wise mans mouth are gratious: but the lips of a foole will swallow vp himselfe.
Selected passage13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
13†The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishnesse: and the end of his talke is mischieuous madnesse.