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Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/10-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/10/20_Pro_10_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 10:20 - Solomon's Proverbs: The Wise Son" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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the heart of a fool is worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/10.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/10.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/10.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the just <i>is as</i> choice silver: the heart of the wicked <i>is</i> little worth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/10.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous <i>is</i> choice silver; The heart of the wicked <i>is worth</i> little.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/10.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is <i>like</i> choice silver, The heart of the wicked is <i>worth</i> little.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/10.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver, The heart of the wicked is worth little.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/10.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is <i>as</i> choice silver, The heart of the wicked is <i>worth</i> little.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/10.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is <i>as</i> choice silver, The heart of the wicked is <i>worth</i> little.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/10.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is like precious silver (greatly valued); The heart of the wicked is worth little.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/10.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is pure silver; the heart of the wicked is of little value.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/10.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is pure silver; the heart of the wicked is of little value. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/10.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/10.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The words of a good person are like pure silver, but the thoughts of an evil person are almost worthless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/10.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/10.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The tongue of a righteous person is pure silver. The hearts of wicked people are worthless.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/10.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A good person's words are like pure silver; a wicked person's ideas are worthless. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/10.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />What the righteous person says is like precious silver; the thoughts of the wicked are compared to small things.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/10.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked has little worth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/10.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />What the righteous say is like the best silver, but what the wicked think is of little value. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/10.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/10.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/10.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/10.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous [is] chosen silver, "" The heart of the wicked—as a little thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/10.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The tongue of the righteous is chosen silver, The heart of the wicked -- as a little thing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/10.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The tongue of the just is choice silver: the heart of the unjust is as little.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/10.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the just is as choice silver: but the heart of the wicked is nothing worth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/10.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The tongue of the just is choice silver. But the heart of the impious is exchanged for nothing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/10.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Choice silver is the tongue of the just; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/10.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the mind of the wicked is of little worth.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/10.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver; the heart of the wicked is full of bitterness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/10.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is choice silver and the heart of the evil is bitterness.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/10.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The tongue of the righteous is as choice silver; The heart of the wicked is little worth.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/10.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />The tongue of the just is tried silver; but the heart of the ungodly shall fail.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/10-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=1806" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/10.htm">Solomon's Proverbs: The Wise Son</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3956.htm" title="3956: lə·šō·wn (N-csc) -- Tongue. Or lashon; also feminine lshonah; from lashan; the tongue, used literally, and figuratively.">The tongue</a> <a href="/hebrew/6662.htm" title="6662: ṣad·dîq (Adj-ms) -- Just, righteous. From tsadaq; just.">of the righteous</a> <a href="/hebrew/977.htm" title="977: niḇ·ḥār (V-Nifal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To choose. A primitive root; properly, to try, i.e. select.">is choice</a> <a href="/hebrew/3701.htm" title="3701: ke·sep̄ (N-ms) -- Silver, money. From kacaph; silver; by implication, money.">silver,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3820.htm" title="3820: lêḇ (N-msc) -- A form of lebab; the heart; also used very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything.">but the heart</a> <a href="/hebrew/7563.htm" title="7563: rə·šā·‘îm (Adj-mp) -- Wicked, criminal. From rasha'; morally wrong; concretely, an bad person.">of the wicked</a> <a href="/hebrew/4592.htm" title="4592: kim·‘āṭ (Prep-k:: Adj-ms) -- A little, fewness, a few. Or miat; from ma'at; a little or few.">has little worth.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of judgment.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34-37</a></span><br />You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. / But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-12</a></span><br />In the same way, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it boasts of great things. Consider how small a spark sets a great forest ablaze. / 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. / All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and creatures of the sea are being tamed and have been tamed by man, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/6-45.htm">Luke 6:45</a></span><br />The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a></span><br />Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/4-6.htm">Colossians 4:6</a></span><br />Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-4.htm">Proverbs 15:4</a></span><br />A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/16-24.htm">Proverbs 16:24</a></span><br />Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a></span><br />Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/25-11.htm">Proverbs 25:11</a></span><br />A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/37-30.htm">Psalm 37:30</a></span><br />The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/19-14.htm">Psalm 19:14</a></span><br />May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ecclesiastes/10-12.htm">Ecclesiastes 10:12</a></span><br />The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/18-21.htm">Proverbs 18:21</a></span><br />Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-23.htm">Proverbs 21:23</a></span><br />He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/13-3.htm">Proverbs 13:3</a></span><br />He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The tongue of the just is as choice silver: the heart of the wicked is little worth.</p><p class="hdg">tongue</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a></b></br> There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise <i>is</i> health.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/15-4.htm">Proverbs 15:4</a></b></br> A wholesome tongue <i>is</i> a tree of life: but perverseness therein <i>is</i> a breach in the spirit.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/16-13.htm">Proverbs 16:13</a></b></br> Righteous lips <i>are</i> the delight of kings; and they love him that speaketh right.</p><p class="hdg">the heart</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/23-7.htm">Proverbs 23:7</a></b></br> For as he thinketh in his heart, so <i>is</i> he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart <i>is</i> not with thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/6-5.htm">Genesis 6:5</a></b></br> And GOD saw that the wickedness of man <i>was</i> great in the earth, and <i>that</i> every imagination of the thoughts of his heart <i>was</i> only evil continually.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/genesis/8-21.htm">Genesis 8:21</a></b></br> And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart <i>is</i> evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/proverbs/8-19.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/proverbs/1-29.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-16.htm">Evil-Doer</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-8.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-18.htm">Little</a> <a href="/proverbs/9-10.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-16.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/proverbs/8-19.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/psalms/139-23.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-18.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-2.htm">Value</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-16.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/job/28-13.htm">Worth</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/18-8.htm">Choice</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-16.htm">Chosen</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-24.htm">Evil-Doer</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-21.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-16.htm">Little</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-20.htm">Mind</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-21.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/proverbs/16-16.htm">Silver</a> <a href="/proverbs/27-21.htm">Tested</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-31.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-21.htm">Upright</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-5.htm">Value</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-24.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/proverbs/31-10.htm">Worth</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 10</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/10-1.htm">Proverbs of Solomon: observations of moral virtues, and their contrary vices</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/10.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/proverbs/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/proverbs/10.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>The tongue of the righteous is choice silver</b><br>The imagery of "choice silver" suggests something of great value and purity. In biblical times, silver was a precious metal, often used in trade and as a standard of wealth. The comparison to silver indicates that the words of the righteous are not only valuable but also refined and beneficial. This aligns with the biblical principle that the words of the righteous bring wisdom and life (<a href="/proverbs/10-11.htm">Proverbs 10:11</a>, <a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a>). The tongue, representing speech, is a powerful tool that can build up or tear down (<a href="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-6</a>). The righteous, those who live in accordance with God's will, use their words to edify and encourage others, reflecting the wisdom and purity of their hearts (<a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34-35</a>).<p><b>but the heart of the wicked has little worth</b><br>In contrast, the "heart of the wicked" is described as having "little worth." The heart, in biblical terms, often represents the center of one's being, including thoughts, emotions, and intentions (<a href="/jeremiah/17-9.htm">Jeremiah 17:9-10</a>). The wicked, those who reject God's ways, have hearts that produce worthless or harmful outcomes. This reflects the biblical theme that evil intentions lead to destructive actions and words (<a href="/matthew/15-18.htm">Matthew 15:18-19</a>). The lack of worth in the wicked's heart suggests a life devoid of spiritual value and eternal significance. This contrast between the righteous and the wicked underscores the importance of aligning one's heart with God's righteousness, as seen in the teachings of Jesus, who emphasized the transformation of the heart (<a href="/matthew/5-8.htm">Matthew 5:8</a>, <a href="/john/7-38.htm">John 7:38</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>Traditionally regarded as the author of Proverbs, Solomon was the son of King David and known for his wisdom. Proverbs is a collection of his wise sayings.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_righteous.htm">The Righteous</a></b><br>In the context of Proverbs, the righteous are those who live according to God's laws and principles, embodying wisdom and moral integrity.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_wicked.htm">The Wicked</a></b><br>Those who reject God's ways, often characterized by moral corruption and foolishness.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/a/ancient_israel.htm">Ancient Israel</a></b><br>The cultural and historical backdrop of Proverbs, where wisdom literature was a key part of teaching and moral instruction.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_literature.htm">Wisdom Literature</a></b><br>A genre of biblical writing that includes Proverbs, focusing on practical and ethical living.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_value_of_righteous_speech.htm">The Value of Righteous Speech</a></b><br>The words of the righteous are precious and valuable, akin to choice silver. This highlights the importance of speaking truth and wisdom, which can have a profound impact on others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_heart's_influence_on_speech.htm">The Heart's Influence on Speech</a></b><br>The condition of one's heart directly influences their speech. A righteous heart produces valuable words, while a wicked heart results in words of little worth.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/guarding_our_hearts_and_tongues.htm">Guarding Our Hearts and Tongues</a></b><br>As believers, we are called to guard our hearts and tongues, ensuring that our speech reflects our faith and values. This involves regular self-examination and reliance on the Holy Spirit.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_words.htm">The Impact of Words</a></b><br>Words have the power to build up or tear down. As Christians, we should strive to use our words to encourage, edify, and speak truth into the lives of others.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/pursuing_righteousness.htm">Pursuing Righteousness</a></b><br>The pursuit of righteousness is not just about actions but also about cultivating a heart that aligns with God's will, which in turn influences our speech and interactions.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_proverbs_10.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 10</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_do_proverbs_view_wise_vs._foolish_women.htm">How do Proverbs contrast wise and foolish women?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_reconcile_proverbs_10_3_with_starving_believers.htm">Proverbs 10:3 claims God prevents the righteous from going hungry--how do we reconcile this with starving believers throughout history?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_a_ransom_for_whom.htm">Who is a ransom for whom? Mark 10:45 and I Timothy 2:5-6 say Christ is a ransom for many/all. Proverbs 21:18 says the wicked is a ransom for the righteous.</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_verbal_abuse.htm">What does the Bible say about verbal abuse?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/10.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 20.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Choice</span> (<a href="/proverbs/8-10.htm">Proverbs 8:10, 19</a>); tested, purified by fire; <span class="greek">πεπυρωμένος</span>, Septuagint. <span class="cmt_word">Is little worth;</span> mere dross, in contradistinction to choice silver. So the tongue is contrasted with the heart, out of whose abundance it speaketh (Ecclus. 21:26, "The heart of fools is in their mouth; but the mouth of the wise is in their heart"). Septuagint, "The heart of the godless shall fail (<span class="greek">ἐκλείψει</span>)." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/10-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">The tongue</span><br /><span class="heb">לְשׁ֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(lə·šō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3956.htm">Strong's 3956: </a> </span><span class="str2">The tongue</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the righteous</span><br /><span class="heb">צַדִּ֑יק</span> <span class="translit">(ṣad·dîq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6662.htm">Strong's 6662: </a> </span><span class="str2">Just, righteous</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[is] choice</span><br /><span class="heb">נִ֭בְחָר</span> <span class="translit">(niḇ·ḥār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_977.htm">Strong's 977: </a> </span><span class="str2">To try, select</span><br /><br /><span class="word">silver,</span><br /><span class="heb">כֶּ֣סֶף</span> <span class="translit">(ke·sep̄)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3701.htm">Strong's 3701: </a> </span><span class="str2">Silver, money</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[but] the heart</span><br /><span class="heb">לֵ֖ב</span> <span class="translit">(lêḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3820.htm">Strong's 3820: </a> </span><span class="str2">The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the wicked</span><br /><span class="heb">רְשָׁעִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(rə·šā·‘îm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7563.htm">Strong's 7563: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wrong, an, bad person</span><br /><br /><span class="word">[has] little worth.</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּמְעָֽט׃</span> <span class="translit">(kim·‘āṭ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-k | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4592.htm">Strong's 4592: </a> </span><span class="str2">A little, fewness, a few</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/10-20.htm">Proverbs 10:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/10-20.htm">Proverbs 10:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/10-20.htm">Proverbs 10:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/10-20.htm">Proverbs 10:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/10-20.htm">Proverbs 10:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/10-20.htm">Proverbs 10:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/10-20.htm">Proverbs 10:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/10-20.htm">Proverbs 10:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/10-20.htm">Proverbs 10:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/10-20.htm">Proverbs 10:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/10-20.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 10:20 The tongue of the righteous is like (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/10-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 10:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 10:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/10-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 10:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 10:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>