Proverbs 10:31 - The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Proverbs 10:31" mean?
Proverbs 10:31 highlights the contrast between the positive outcome of righteous speech and the negative consequences of wicked speech. Let's break it down:
"The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom...": This part emphasizes that those who live righteously and in accordance with God's principles speak words that are wise, helpful, and beneficial. Their speech is a source of guidance, knowledge, and understanding for themselves and others. It "produces" wisdom, implying that their words actively create or disseminate wisdom in the world.
"...but the perverse tongue will be cut off.": This part conveys that the speech of those who are corrupt, twisted, or deceitful (perverse) will ultimately lead to their downfall. "Cut off" can be interpreted in several ways:
Loss of influence/respect: Their lies and manipulation will eventually be exposed, causing them to lose credibility and standing in the community. People will no longer trust or value their words.
Punishment/consequences: Their wicked speech might lead to negative repercussions, such as legal troubles, broken relationships, or other forms of retribution.
Separation from God: A consistently perverse tongue reflects a heart that is far from God, potentially leading to spiritual separation.
In essence, the verse is teaching that:
Righteous speech is a source of wisdom and has a positive impact.
Wicked speech is destructive and ultimately leads to negative consequences for the speaker.
The proverb underscores the importance of using our words carefully and wisely. It encourages us to speak truth, offer encouragement, and promote understanding, rather than engaging in deceit, gossip, or harmful language. The consequences of our words matter, and choosing righteous speech leads to a better outcome than choosing perverse speech.
Proverbs 10:31 - The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
What does "Proverbs 10:31" mean?
Proverbs 10:31 highlights the contrast between the positive outcome of righteous speech and the negative consequences of wicked speech. Let's break it down:
"The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom...": This part emphasizes that those who live righteously and in accordance with God's principles speak words that are wise, helpful, and beneficial. Their speech is a source of guidance, knowledge, and understanding for themselves and others. It "produces" wisdom, implying that their words actively create or disseminate wisdom in the world.
"...but the perverse tongue will be cut off.": This part conveys that the speech of those who are corrupt, twisted, or deceitful (perverse) will ultimately lead to their downfall. "Cut off" can be interpreted in several ways:
Loss of influence/respect: Their lies and manipulation will eventually be exposed, causing them to lose credibility and standing in the community. People will no longer trust or value their words.
Punishment/consequences: Their wicked speech might lead to negative repercussions, such as legal troubles, broken relationships, or other forms of retribution.
Separation from God: A consistently perverse tongue reflects a heart that is far from God, potentially leading to spiritual separation.
In essence, the verse is teaching that:
Righteous speech is a source of wisdom and has a positive impact.
Wicked speech is destructive and ultimately leads to negative consequences for the speaker.
The proverb underscores the importance of using our words carefully and wisely. It encourages us to speak truth, offer encouragement, and promote understanding, rather than engaging in deceit, gossip, or harmful language. The consequences of our words matter, and choosing righteous speech leads to a better outcome than choosing perverse speech.