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<!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>Romans 3:13 "Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit." "The venom of vipers is on their lips."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/romans/3-13.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/45_Rom_03_13.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Romans 3:13 - There is No One Righteous" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. 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Their tongues are filled with lies.” “Snake venom drips from their lips.” <a href="/esv/romans/3.htm">English Standard Version</a> “Their throat is an open grave; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of asps is under their lips.” <a href="/bsb/romans/3.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.” “The venom of vipers is on their lips.” <a href="/blb/romans/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Their throat is a grave having been opened; they keep practicing deceit with their tongues; the venom of vipers is under their lips, <a href="/kjv/romans/3.htm">King James Bible</a> Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: <a href="/nkjv/romans/3.htm">New King James Version</a> “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; <a href="/nasb_/romans/3.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,” “THE VENOM OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”; <a href="/nasb/romans/3.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,&#8221 &#8220THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS"; <a href="/nasb77/romans/3.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,” “THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”; <a href="/lsb/romans/3.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN TOMB, WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY KEEP DECEIVING,” “THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”; <a href="/amp/romans/3.htm">Amplified Bible</a> “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN GRAVE; THEY [habitually] DECEIVE WITH THEIR TONGUES.” “THE VENOM OF ASPS IS BENEATH THEIR LIPS.” <a href="/csb/romans/3.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers’ venom is under their lips. <a href="/hcsb/romans/3.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Their throat is an open grave; they deceive with their tongues. Vipers&#8217 venom is under their lips. <a href="/asv/romans/3.htm">American Standard Version</a> Their throat is an open sepulchre; With their tongues they have used deceit: The poison of asps is under their lips: <a href="/cev/romans/3.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> Their words are like an open pit, and their tongues are good only for telling lies. Each word is as deadly as the fangs of a snake, <a href="/erv/romans/3.htm">English Revised Version</a> Their throat is an open sepulchre; With their tongues they have used deceit: The poison of asps is under their lips: <a href="/gwt/romans/3.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Their throats are open graves. Their tongues practice deception. Their lips hide the venom of poisonous snakes. <a href="/gnt/romans/3.htm">Good News Translation</a> Their words are full of deadly deceit; wicked lies roll off their tongues, and dangerous threats, like snake's poison, from their lips; <a href="/isv/romans/3.htm">International Standard Version</a> Their throats are open graves. With their tongues they deceive. The venom of poisonous snakes is under their lips. <a href="/msb/romans/3.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.? ?The venom of vipers is on their lips.? <a href="/net/romans/3.htm">NET Bible</a> "Their throats are open graves, they deceive with their tongues, the poison of asps is under their lips." <a href="/nheb/romans/3.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> "Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit." "Viper's poison is under their lips;" <a href="/wbt/romans/3.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: <a href="/wey/romans/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Their throats resemble an opened grave; with their tongues they have been talking deceitfully." "The venom of vipers lies hidden behind their lips." <a href="/web/romans/3.htm">World English Bible</a> “Their throat is an open tomb. With their tongues they have used deceit.” “The poison of vipers is under their lips.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/romans/3.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> Their throat [is] an opened grave; with their tongues they used deceit; poison of cobras [is] under their lips— <a href="/blb/romans/3.htm">Berean Literal Bible</a> Their throat is a grave having been opened; they keep practicing deceit with their tongues; the venom of vipers is under their lips, <a href="/ylt/romans/3.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> A sepulchre opened is their throat; with their tongues they used deceit; poison of asps is under their lips. <a href="/slt/romans/3.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> Their throat an opened tomb; with their tongues have they used deceit; the poison of asps under their lips:<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/romans/3.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have dealt deceitfully. The venom of asps is under their lips. <a href="/cpdv/romans/3.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> Their throat is an open sepulcher. With their tongues, they have been acting deceitfully. The venom of asps is under their lips. <a href="/nabre/romans/3.htm">New American Bible</a> Their throats are open graves; they deceive with their tongues; the venom of asps is on their lips; <a href="/nrsvce/romans/3.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> “Their throats are opened graves; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of vipers is under their lips.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/romans/3.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> Their throats are like open sepulchres; their tongues are deceitful; the venom of asps is under their lips. <a href="/aramaic-plain-english/romans/3.htm">Aramaic Bible in Plain English</a> “Their throats are opened tombs, their tongues are deceitful, and the venom of asps is under their lips.”<div class="vheading2">NT Translations</div><a href="/anderson/romans/3.htm">Anderson New Testament</a> their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; <a href="/godbey/romans/3.htm">Godbey New Testament</a> Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips. <a href="/haweis/romans/3.htm">Haweis New Testament</a> Their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have spoken craftily; the poison of asps is under their lips: <a href="/mace/romans/3.htm">Mace New Testament</a> their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: <a href="/wey/romans/3.htm">Weymouth New Testament</a> "Their throats resemble an opened grave; with their tongues they have been talking deceitfully." "The venom of vipers lies hidden behind their lips." <a href="/worrell/romans/3.htm">Worrell New Testament</a> their throat is an open sepulchre; with their tongues they used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips; <a href="/worsley/romans/3.htm">Worsley New Testament</a> Their throat is an open sepulchre: with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips: <a href="/parallel/romans/3-13.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/KIZs4GUMn-g?start=684" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/romans/3.htm">There is No One Righteous</a> …12All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one.” 13<a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">“Their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ho (Art-NMS) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/2995.htm" title="2995: larynx (N-NMS) -- The throat, gullet. Of uncertain derivation; the throat.">throats are</a> <a href="/greek/455.htm" title="455: aneōgmenos (V-RPM/P-NMS) -- To open. From ana and oigo; to open up.">open</a> <a href="/greek/5028.htm" title="5028: taphos (N-NMS) -- A burial-place, sepulcher, tomb, grave. Masculine from thapto; a grave.">graves;</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: tais (Art-DFP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/1100.htm" title="1100: glōssais (N-DFP) -- The tongue; by implication, a language.">tongues</a> <a href="/greek/1387.htm" title="1387: edoliousan (V-IIA-3P) -- To act deceitfully, deceive, use fraud. From dolios; to be guileful.">practice deceit.”</a> <a href="/greek/2447.htm" title="2447: ios (N-NMS) -- Poison, rust; an arrow. Perhaps from eimi or hiemi; rust; also venom.">“The venom</a> <a href="/greek/785.htm" title="785: aspidōn (N-GFP) -- An asp (hooded-snake, cobra). Of uncertain derivation; a buckler; used of a serpent, probably the asp.">of vipers</a> <a href="/greek/5259.htm" title="5259: hypo (Prep) -- A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when).">is on</a> <a href="/greek/846.htm" title="846: autōn (PPro-GM3P) -- He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.">their</a> <a href="/greek/3588.htm" title="3588: ta (Art-ANP) -- The, the definite article. Including the feminine he, and the neuter to in all their inflections; the definite article; the."></a> <a href="/greek/5491.htm" title="5491: cheilē (N-ANP) -- From a form of the same as chasma; a lip; figuratively, a margin.">lips.”</a> 14“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Psalm 5:9</a> For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit. <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3</a> They sharpen their tongues like snakes; the venom of vipers is on their lips. Selah <a href="/james/3-8.htm">James 3:8</a> but no man can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. <a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a> You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. <a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Psalm 10:7</a> His mouth is full of cursing, deceit, and violence; trouble and malice are under his tongue. <a href="/isaiah/59-7.htm">Isaiah 59:7-8</a> Their feet run to evil; they are swift to shed innocent blood. Their thoughts are sinful thoughts; ruin and destruction lie in their wake. / The way of peace they have not known, and there is no justice in their tracks. They have turned them into crooked paths; no one who treads on them will know peace. <a href="/proverbs/10-31.htm">Proverbs 10:31-32</a> The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. / The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse. <a href="/jeremiah/5-16.htm">Jeremiah 5:16</a> Their quivers are like open graves; they are all mighty men. <a href="/ephesians/4-29.htm">Ephesians 4:29</a> 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. <a href="/colossians/3-8.htm">Colossians 3:8</a> But now you must put aside all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. <a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10</a> For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. <a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Proverbs 12:18</a> Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. <a href="/psalms/36-3.htm">Psalm 36:3</a> The words of his mouth are wicked and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and well-doing. <a href="/matthew/15-11.htm">Matthew 15:11</a> A man is not defiled by what enters his mouth, but by what comes out of it.” <a href="/proverbs/15-2.htm">Proverbs 15:2</a> The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>Their throat is an open sepulcher; with their tongues they have used deceit; the poison of asps is under their lips:throat.<a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Psalm 5:9</a> For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.<a href="/jeremiah/5-16.htm">Jeremiah 5:16</a> Their quiver is as an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men.<a href="/matthew/23-27.htm">Matthew 23:27,28</a> Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness… with their.<a href="/romans/3-4.htm">Romans 3:4</a> God forbid: yea, let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written, That thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.<a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Psalm 5:9</a> For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.<a href="/psalms/12-3.htm">Psalm 12:3,4</a> The LORD shall cut off all flattering lips, and the tongue that speaketh proud things: … the poison.<a href="/deuteronomy/32-33.htm">Deuteronomy 32:33</a> Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.<a href="/job/20-14.htm">Job 20:14-16</a> Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him… <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3</a> They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/20-16.htm">Asps</a> <a href="/romans/2-7.htm">Death</a> <a href="/romans/1-29.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/micah/6-12.htm">Deceitfully</a> <a href="/acts/5-3.htm">Deceive</a> <a href="/malachi/3-9.htm">Deceiving</a> <a href="/acts/25-7.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/john/5-28.htm">Graves</a> <a href="/acts/26-26.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/acts/15-7.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/romans/1-30.htm">Open</a> <a href="/acts/16-27.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/mark/16-18.htm">Poison</a> <a href="/romans/2-25.htm">Practice</a> <a href="/john/8-55.htm">Resemble</a> <a href="/acts/13-29.htm">Sepulcher</a> <a href="/acts/13-29.htm">Sepulchre</a> <a href="/luke/10-19.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/acts/28-22.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/matthew/18-28.htm">Throat</a> <a href="/obadiah/1-16.htm">Throats</a> <a href="/acts/13-29.htm">Tomb</a> <a href="/acts/19-6.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/romans/3-7.htm">True.</a> <a href="/romans/1-27.htm">Use</a> <a href="/acts/27-17.htm">Used</a> <a href="/habakkuk/2-15.htm">Venom</a> <a href="/luke/3-8.htm">Vipers</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/32-33.htm">Asps</a> <a href="/romans/4-25.htm">Death</a> <a href="/romans/12-9.htm">Deceit</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-2.htm">Deceitfully</a> <a href="/romans/7-11.htm">Deceive</a> <a href="/1_timothy/4-1.htm">Deceiving</a> <a href="/romans/10-7.htm">Grave</a> <a href="/revelation/11-9.htm">Graves</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/2-7.htm">Hidden</a> <a href="/romans/10-8.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/romans/8-23.htm">Open</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/16-9.htm">Opened</a> <a href="/james/3-8.htm">Poison</a> <a href="/romans/7-15.htm">Practice</a> <a href="/ephesians/4-14.htm">Resemble</a> <a href="/genesis/23-6.htm">Sepulcher</a> <a href="/revelation/11-9.htm">Sepulchre</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/10-9.htm">Snakes</a> <a href="/romans/11-13.htm">Talking</a> <a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Throat</a> <a href="/psalms/115-7.htm">Throats</a> <a href="/revelation/11-9.htm">Tomb</a> <a href="/1_corinthians/12-10.htm">Tongues</a> <a href="/romans/4-17.htm">True.</a> <a href="/romans/4-14.htm">Use</a> <a href="/romans/6-13.htm">Used</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-24.htm">Venom</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-24.htm">Vipers</a><div class="vheading2">Romans 3</div>1. <a href="/romans/3-1.htm">The Jews prerogative;</a> 3. <a href="/romans/3-3.htm">which they have not lost;</a> 9. <a href="/romans/3-9.htm">howbeit the law convinces them also of sin;</a> 20. <a href="/romans/3-20.htm">therefore no one is justified by the law;</a> 28. <a href="/romans/3-28.htm">but all, without difference, by faith, only;</a> 31. <a href="/romans/3-31.htm">and yet the law is not abolished.</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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/romans/3.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/romans/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/romans/3.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div>Their throats are open graves; This phrase draws from the imagery of an open grave, which in biblical times symbolized corruption and death. An open grave would emit a foul odor, representing the moral and spiritual decay of those who speak evil. This metaphor highlights the destructive nature of sinful speech. In the context of Romans, Paul is emphasizing the universality of sin, drawing from <a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Psalm 5:9</a> to illustrate how deeply ingrained sin is in humanity. The throat, as the passageway for speech, signifies how words can reveal the inner corruption of the heart, aligning with Jesus' teaching in <a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a>, where He states that "out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."their tongues practice deceit. Deceitful speech is a recurring theme in Scripture, often associated with the wicked. This phrase underscores the intentional nature of lying and manipulation, which are contrary to God's truth. The reference to deceit connects to <a href="/psalms/10-7.htm">Psalm 10:7</a>, where the wicked are described as having mouths full of curses and lies. In the cultural context of the time, honesty and integrity were highly valued, and deceit was seen as a serious moral failing. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that calls for truthfulness, as seen in the Ninth Commandment (<a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Exodus 20:16</a>) and the teachings of Jesus, who is described as "the way, the truth, and the life" (<a href="/john/14-6.htm">John 14:6</a>).The venom of vipers is on their lips. This vivid imagery likens deceitful speech to the deadly poison of a viper, emphasizing the harm that words can inflict. The viper, a venomous snake, was a well-known symbol of danger and treachery in the ancient world. This phrase echoes <a href="/psalms/140-3.htm">Psalm 140:3</a>, where the wicked are described as having tongues as sharp as a serpent's. The comparison to venom suggests that deceitful words can spread harm and destruction, much like poison spreads through the body. This imagery also connects to the broader biblical theme of the tongue's power, as seen in <a href="/james/3-8.htm">James 3:8</a>, where the tongue is described as "a restless evil, full of deadly poison." The reference to vipers may also remind readers of Jesus' rebuke of the Pharisees as a "brood of vipers" (<a href="/matthew/12-34.htm">Matthew 12:34</a>), highlighting the hypocrisy and spiritual danger of their teachings.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/p/paul_the_apostle.htm">Paul the Apostle</a> The author of the Book of Romans, Paul is addressing the Roman church, emphasizing the universality of sin and the need for salvation through Jesus Christ. 2. <a href="/topical/t/the_roman_church.htm">The Roman Church</a> The recipients of the letter, consisting of both Jewish and Gentile believers, who are being taught about the righteousness that comes from faith. 3. <a href="/topical/o/old_testament_references.htm">Old Testament References</a> Paul draws from the Psalms and Isaiah to illustrate the sinful nature of humanity, showing continuity between the Old and New Testaments.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_universality_of_sin.htm">The Universality of Sin</a> Paul uses vivid imagery to describe the sinful nature of humanity, emphasizing that all people, regardless of background, are guilty before God. <a href="/topical/t/the_power_of_words.htm">The Power of Words</a> Our speech can be destructive, like the venom of vipers. Believers are called to be mindful of their words, ensuring they reflect Christ's love and truth. <a href="/topical/t/the_need_for_redemption.htm">The Need for Redemption</a> The description of humanity's sinful nature underscores the necessity of salvation through Jesus Christ. Without Him, we remain in our sin. <a href="/topical/s/self-examination.htm">Self-Examination</a> Believers should regularly examine their speech and actions, seeking the Holy Spirit's help to align them with God's will. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_scripture.htm">The Role of Scripture</a> Paul’s use of Old Testament references shows the importance of Scripture in understanding human nature and God’s plan for redemption.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_romans_3.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Romans 3</a> <a href="/q/can_law_justify_(rom_3_20_vs._2_13).htm">Can the law justify? (Romans 3:20 vs. Romans 2:13)</a> <a href="/q/why_does_paul_misquote_psalms_in_romans.htm">If the Bible is divinely inspired, why does Paul misquote the Old Testament (Romans 3:10-18 vs. Psalms)?</a> <a href="/q/does_phil_3_20_conflict_with_rom_13_1-7.htm">Does Paul's emphasis on 'citizenship in heaven' in Philippians 3:20 undermine the Bible's instructions (like in Romans 13:1-7) to respect and submit to earthly governments?</a> <a href="/q/why_do_some_rulers_act_against_romans_13_3.htm">If Romans 13:3 claims rulers promote good and punish bad, why have some historical governments done the opposite without facing apparent divine judgment?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/romans/3.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(13) Their throat is an open sepulchre--i.e., their speech is at once corrupt and corrupting. It is compared to a "yawning grave"--not merely to a pit into which a man may fall, but to a sort of pestiferous chasm yawning and ravening, as it were, after its prey.They have used deceit.--Strictly, they were deceiving; a continued action brought up to the present time.Under their lips.--As the poison-bag of the serpent is directly under the kind of tooth by which its venom is discharged. <a href="/commentaries/romans/3-13.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Greek</div>Their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. throats [are] λάρυγξ (larynx) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2995.htm">Strong's 2995: </a> The throat, gullet. Of uncertain derivation; the throat. open ἀνεῳγμένος (aneōgmenos) Verb - Perfect Participle Middle or Passive - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_455.htm">Strong's 455: </a> To open. From ana and oigo; to open up. graves; τάφος (taphos) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_5028.htm">Strong's 5028: </a> A burial-place, sepulcher, tomb, grave. Masculine from thapto; a grave. their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. tongues γλώσσαις (glōssais) Noun - Dative Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1100.htm">Strong's 1100: </a> The tongue; by implication, a language. practice deceit. ἐδολιοῦσαν (edoliousan) Verb - Imperfect Indicative Active - 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_1387.htm">Strong's 1387: </a> To act deceitfully, deceive, use fraud. From dolios; to be guileful. [The] venom ἰὸς (ios) Noun - Nominative Masculine Singular <a href="/greek/strongs_2447.htm">Strong's 2447: </a> Poison, rust; an arrow. Perhaps from eimi or hiemi; rust; also venom. of vipers ἀσπίδων (aspidōn) Noun - Genitive Feminine Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_785.htm">Strong's 785: </a> An asp (hooded-snake, cobra). Of uncertain derivation; a buckler; used of a serpent, probably the 'asp'. [is] on ὑπὸ (hypo) Preposition <a href="/greek/strongs_5259.htm">Strong's 5259: </a> A primary preposition; under, i.e. of place, or with verbs; of place (underneath) or where (below) or time (when). their αὐτῶν (autōn) Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive Masculine 3rd Person Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_846.htm">Strong's 846: </a> He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons. lips. χείλη (cheilē) Noun - Accusative Neuter Plural <a href="/greek/strongs_5491.htm">Strong's 5491: </a> From a form of the same as chasma; a lip; figuratively, a margin. <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/romans/3-13.htm">Romans 3:13 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/romans/3-13.htm">NT Letters: Romans 3:13 Their throat is an open tomb (Rom. Ro) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/romans/3-12.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Romans 3:12"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Romans 3:12" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/romans/3-14.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Romans 3:14"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Romans 3:14" /></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>