CINXE.COM

<!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 12:19 Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/proverbs/12-19.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/19/20_Pro_12_19.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Proverbs 12:19 - Loving Discipline and Knowledge" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script> <script src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/biblehub.js' type='text/javascript'></script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/proverbs/12-19.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/proverbs/12-19.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/proverbs/">Proverbs</a> > <a href="/proverbs/12.htm">Chapter 12</a> > Verse 19</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad1.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm" title="Proverbs 12:18">◄</a> Proverbs 12:19 <a href="/proverbs/12-20.htm" title="Proverbs 12:20">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Study Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Crossref </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Hebrew </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/proverbs/12.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/proverbs/12.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/proverbs/12.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/proverbs/12.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/proverbs/12.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/proverbs/12.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue <i>is</i> but for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/proverbs/12.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue <i>is</i> but for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/proverbs/12.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Truthful lips will endure forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/proverbs/12.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/proverbs/12.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/proverbs/12.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/proverbs/12.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is [credited] only for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/proverbs/12.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/proverbs/12.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue, only a moment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/proverbs/12.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/proverbs/12.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Truth will last forever; lies are soon found out. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/proverbs/12.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/proverbs/12.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The word of truth lasts forever, but lies last only a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/proverbs/12.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />A lie has a short life, but truth lives on forever. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/proverbs/12.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />A truthful saying is trusted forever, but the liar only for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/proverbs/12.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/proverbs/12.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The one who tells the truth will endure forever, but the one who lies will last only for a moment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/proverbs/12.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Truth's lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/proverbs/12.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/proverbs/12.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/proverbs/12.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />The lip of truth is established forever, "" And a tongue of falsehood for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/proverbs/12.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> The lip of truth is established for ever, And for a moment -- a tongue of falsehood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/proverbs/12.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />The lip of truth shall be prepared forever: and the tongue of falsehood while I shall wink.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/proverbs/12.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />The lip of truth shall be steadfast for ever: but he that is a hasty witness, frameth a lying tongue. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/proverbs/12.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />The lips of truth shall be steadfast forever. But a hasty witness readies a lying tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/proverbs/12.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Truthful lips endure forever, the lying tongue, for only a moment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/proverbs/12.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/proverbs/12.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />The lips of truth are forthright; but the tongue of a lying witness is wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/proverbs/12.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />The lips of truth are right, and the hasty witness does evil with his tongue.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/proverbs/12.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />The lip of truth shall be established for ever; But a lying tongue is but for a moment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/proverbs/12.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />True lips establish testimony; but a hasty witness has an unjust tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/proverbs/12-19.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kpUA5ZltBeQ?start=2279" 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/12.htm">Loving Discipline and Knowledge</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">18</span>Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. <span class="reftext">19</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/571.htm" title="571: ’ĕ·meṯ (N-fs) -- Firmness, faithfulness, truth. Contracted from 'aman; stability; certainty, truth, trustworthiness.">Truthful</a> <a href="/hebrew/8193.htm" title="8193: śə·p̄aṯ- (N-fsc) -- Or sepheth; probably from caphah or shaphah through the idea of termination; the lip; by implication, language; by analogy, a margin.">lips</a> <a href="/hebrew/3559.htm" title="3559: tik·kō·wn (V-Nifal-Imperf-3fs) -- A primitive root; properly, to be erect; hence to set up, in a great variety of applications, whether literal, or figurative.">endure forever,</a> <a href="/hebrew/5703.htm" title="5703: lā·‘aḏ (Prep-l:: N-ms) -- Perpetuity. From adah; properly, a terminus, i.e. duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity."></a> <a href="/hebrew/8267.htm" title="8267: šā·qer (N-ms) -- Deception, disappointment, falsehood. From shaqar; an untruth; by implication, a sham.">but a lying</a> <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.">tongue</a> <a href="/hebrew/5704.htm" title="5704: wə·‘aḏ- (Conj-w:: Prep) -- As far as, even to, up to, until, while. Properly, the same as ad; as far as, whether of space or time or degree.">lasts only</a> <a href="/hebrew/7280.htm" title="7280: ’ar·gî·‘āh (V-Hifil-Imperf.Cohort-1cs) -- A primitive root; properly, to toss violently and suddenly; figuratively to settle, i.e. Quiet; specifically, to wink.">a moment.</a> </span><span class="reftext">20</span>Deceit is in the hearts of those who devise evil, but the counselors of peace have joy.…<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="/james/3-5.htm">James 3:5-6</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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-25.htm">Ephesians 4:25</a></span><br />Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one another.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/52-2.htm">Psalm 52:2-4</a></span><br />Your tongue devises destruction like a sharpened razor, O worker of deceit. / You love evil more than good, falsehood more than speaking truth. Selah / You love every word that devours, O deceitful tongue.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/colossians/3-9.htm">Colossians 3:9</a></span><br />Do not lie to one another, since you have taken off the old self with its practices,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/34-13.htm">Psalm 34:13</a></span><br />Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/12-36.htm">Matthew 12:36-37</a></span><br />But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-10.htm">1 Peter 3:10</a></span><br />For, “Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a></span><br />There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a></span><br />You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/10-32.htm">Proverbs 10:32</a></span><br />The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zechariah/8-16.htm">Zechariah 8:16</a></span><br />These are the things you must do: Speak truth to one another, render true and sound judgments in your gates,<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="/revelation/21-8.htm">Revelation 21:8</a></span><br />But to the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murderers and sexually immoral and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/21-6.htm">Proverbs 21:6</a></span><br />Making a fortune by a lying tongue is a vanishing mist, a deadly pursuit.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/120-2.htm">Psalm 120:2</a></span><br />Deliver my soul, O LORD, from lying lips and a deceitful tongue.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment.</p><p class="hdg">lip</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zechariah/1-4.htm">Zechariah 1:4-6</a></b></br> Be ye not as your fathers, unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye now from your evil ways, and <i>from</i> your evil doings: but they did not hear, nor hearken unto me, saith the LORD… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/matthew/24-35.htm">Matthew 24:35</a></b></br> Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.</p><p class="hdg">but</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/proverbs/19-9.htm">Proverbs 19:9</a></b></br> A false witness shall not be unpunished, and <i>he that</i> speaketh lies shall perish.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/job/20-5.htm">Job 20:5</a></b></br> That the triumphing of the wicked <i>is</i> short, and the joy of the hypocrite <i>but</i> for a moment?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/52-5.htm">Psalm 52:5</a></b></br> God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of <i>thy</i> dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/psalms/119-91.htm">Endure</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-3.htm">Established</a> <a href="/proverbs/11-6.htm">False.</a> <a href="/psalms/144-11.htm">Falsehood</a> <a href="/proverbs/10-25.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/job/20-5.htm">Lasts</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-14.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/psalms/30-5.htm">Minute</a> <a href="/proverbs/6-15.htm">Moment</a> <a href="/job/20-5.htm">Momentary</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-17.htm">True.</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-17.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-17.htm">Truthful</a> <a href="/psalms/115-1.htm">Truth's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/proverbs/18-14.htm">Endure</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-22.htm">Established</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-22.htm">False.</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-5.htm">Falsehood</a> <a href="/proverbs/21-28.htm">Forever</a> <a href="/matthew/13-21.htm">Lasts</a> <a href="/proverbs/13-2.htm">Lips</a> <a href="/isaiah/30-13.htm">Minute</a> <a href="/isaiah/26-20.htm">Moment</a> <a href="/2_corinthians/4-17.htm">Momentary</a> <a href="/proverbs/15-2.htm">Tongue</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-22.htm">True.</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-22.htm">Truth</a> <a href="/proverbs/12-22.htm">Truthful</a> <a href="/2_john/1-2.htm">Truth's</a><div class="vheading2">Proverbs 12</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/proverbs/12-1.htm">Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge</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 />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <script type="text/javascript"> </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="//pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/show_ads.js"> </script><br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading"><a href="/study/proverbs/12.htm">Berean Study Bible</a></div><b>Truthful lips endure forever</b><br />The phrase "Truthful lips" in the Hebrew text is "שְׂפָת־אֱמֶת" (s'fat-emet). The word "אֱמֶת" (emet) means truth, reliability, or faithfulness. In the biblical context, truth is not merely about factual accuracy but encompasses faithfulness and integrity. The lips that speak truth are aligned with God's nature, as He is the ultimate embodiment of truth. Historically, the Israelites were called to be a people of truth, reflecting God's character in their speech and actions. The enduring nature of truthful speech is emphasized here, suggesting that truth has an eternal quality, resonating with the divine and standing the test of time.<p><b>endure forever</b><br />The Hebrew word for "endure" is "תִּכּוֹן" (tikun), which implies being established or made firm. The phrase "endure forever" suggests a permanence and stability that comes from aligning with God's truth. In a world where falsehoods may seem to prevail temporarily, this verse reassures believers that truth is ultimately unshakeable and eternal. The historical context of ancient Israel, where oral tradition was paramount, underscores the importance of truthful speech as a foundation for community and covenantal faithfulness. This enduring nature of truth is a call for believers to trust in God's promises and to live lives marked by integrity.<p><b>but a lying tongue</b><br />The phrase "lying tongue" in Hebrew is "וּלְשׁוֹן שֶׁקֶר" (ul'shon sheker). The word "שֶׁקֶר" (sheker) means falsehood or deceit. In the biblical narrative, lying is often associated with the adversary, Satan, who is called the "father of lies" (<a href="/john/8-44.htm">John 8:44</a>). The "lying tongue" represents speech that is contrary to God's nature and destructive to community and relationships. Historically, false prophets and deceitful leaders led Israel astray, highlighting the dangers of lies. This phrase serves as a warning against the temporary allure of deceit, which ultimately leads to ruin.<p><b>lasts only a moment</b><br />The Hebrew phrase "רֶגַע" (rega) means a brief moment or instant. This stark contrast to the eternal nature of truth highlights the fleeting and unstable nature of falsehood. Lies may seem effective or advantageous in the short term, but they lack the foundation and permanence of truth. In the biblical context, this serves as a reminder of the ultimate justice of God, who will bring all things to light. The temporary success of deceit is ultimately futile, as God's truth will prevail. This encourages believers to remain steadfast in truth, trusting in God's eternal perspective.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/proverbs/12.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(19) <span class= "bld">A lying tongue is but for a moment</span>.--Being detected and silenced by the providence of God, (Comp. <a href="/context/psalms/64-7.htm" title="But God shall shoot at them with an arrow; suddenly shall they be wounded.">Psalm 64:7-8</a>.)<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/proverbs/12.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 19.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">The lip of truth shall be established forever.</span> Truth is consistent, invincible, enduring; and the fact belongs not only to Divine truth (<a href="/psalms/117-2.htm">Psalm 117:2</a>; <a href="/matthew/24-35.htm">Matthew 24:35</a>), but to human, in its measure. Septuagint, "True lips establish testimony," pointing the last word <span class="accented">ad</span> as <span class="accented">ed</span>. <span class="cmt_word">Is but for a moment;</span> literally, <span class="accented">while I wink the eye</span> (<a href="/jeremiah/49-19.htm">Jeremiah 49:19</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/50-44.htm">Jeremiah 50:44</a>). Lying never answers in the end; it is soon found out and punished (<a href="/proverbs/19-9.htm">Proverbs 19:9</a>; <a href="/psalms/52-5.htm">Psalm 52:5</a>). Septuagint, "But a hasty (<span class="greek">ταχύς</span>; <span class="accented">repentinus</span>, Vulgate) witness hath an unjust tongue." One who gives his testimony without due consideration, or influenced by evil motives, readily fails into lying and injustice. With the latter half of the verse we may compare the gnome - <p><span class="greek">Ἀλλ οὐδὲν ἕρπει ψεῦδος εἰς γῆρας χρόνου</span> <p><span class="accented">"Unto old age no lie doth ever live."</span> A lie has no legs, is a maxim of wide nationality; and "Truth may be blamed, but shall ne'er be shamed." <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/proverbs/12-19.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">Truthful</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱ֭מֶת</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·meṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_571.htm">Strong's 571: </a> </span><span class="str2">Stability, certainty, truth, trustworthiness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">lips</span><br /><span class="heb">שְֽׂפַת־</span> <span class="translit">(śə·p̄aṯ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - feminine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8193.htm">Strong's 8193: </a> </span><span class="str2">The lip, language, a margin</span><br /><br /><span class="word">endure forever,</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּכּ֣וֹן</span> <span class="translit">(tik·kō·wn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3559.htm">Strong's 3559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To be erect</span><br /><br /><span class="word">but a lying</span><br /><span class="heb">שָֽׁקֶר׃</span> <span class="translit">(šā·qer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8267.htm">Strong's 8267: </a> </span><span class="str2">Deception, disappointment, falsehood</span><br /><br /><span class="word">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">[lasts] only</span><br /><span class="heb">וְעַד־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·‘aḏ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Preposition<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5704.htm">Strong's 5704: </a> </span><span class="str2">As far as, even to, up to, until, while</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a moment.</span><br /><span class="heb">אַ֝רְגִּ֗יעָה</span> <span class="translit">(’ar·gî·‘āh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect Cohortative - first person common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7281.htm">Strong's 7281: </a> </span><span class="str2">A wink, a very short space of time</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/proverbs/12-19.htm">Proverbs 12:19 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/proverbs/12-19.htm">OT Poetry: Proverbs 12:19 Truth's lips will be established forever (Prov. Pro Pr) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/proverbs/12-18.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Proverbs 12:18"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Proverbs 12:18" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/proverbs/12-20.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Proverbs 12:20"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Proverbs 12:20" /></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>