Ecclesiastes 10:12 · KJV
“The words of a wise man's mouth {are} gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. {gracious: Heb. grace}”
— Ecclesiastes 10:12
Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. {a babbler: Heb. the master of the tongue}
The beginning of the words of his mouth {is} foolishness: and the end of his talk {is} mischievous madness. {his talk: Heb. his mouth}
Ecclesiastes 10 — Context
If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom {is} profitable to direct.
11Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better. {a babbler: Heb. the master of the tongue}
12The words of a wise man's mouth {are} gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. {gracious: Heb. grace}
13The beginning of the words of his mouth {is} foolishness: and the end of his talk {is} mischievous madness. {his talk: Heb. his mouth}
14A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? {is full...: Heb. multiplieth words}
Cross References
Colossians 4:6
Let your speech {be} alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.
Luke 4:22
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph's son?
Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness. {poureth: Heb. belcheth, or, bubbleth}
Proverbs 22:11
He that loveth pureness of heart, {for} the grace of his lips the king {shall be} his friend. {for...: or, and hath grace in his lips}
Ephesians 4:29
Let 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. {to...: or, to edify profitably}
Proverbs 10:20-21
The tongue of the just {is as} choice silver: the heart of the wicked {is} little worth.
Proverbs 10:13-14
In the lips of him that hath understanding wisdom is found: but a rod {is} for the back of him that is void of understanding. {of understanding: Heb. of heart}
Job 4:3-4
Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
Related Topics