Parallel Verses

New American Standard Bible

Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are lying lips to a prince.

King James Version

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Holman Bible

Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.

International Standard Version

Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool; how much more are deceitful statements with a prince!

A Conservative Version

Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.

American Standard Version

Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

Amplified


Excellent speech does not benefit a fool [who is spiritually blind],
Much less do lying lips benefit a prince.

Bible in Basic English

Fair words are not to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler.

Darby Translation

Excellent speech becometh not a vile man; how much less do lying lips a noble!

Julia Smith Translation

The lip of excellence is not becoming to, the foolish one: much less the lip. of falsehood to the noble one.

King James 2000

Excellent speech becomes not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

Lexham Expanded Bible

{Fine speech} [is] not becoming a fool, {still less} [is] {false speech} for a ruler.

Modern King James verseion

An excellent lip is not fitting for a fool; much less are lying lips fitting for a prince.

Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale

An eloquent speech becometh not a fool; much less a lying mouth, then, becometh a prince.

NET Bible

Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler!

New Heart English Bible

Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

The Emphasized Bible

Unseemly in an unworthy man, is the lip of excellence, much more, in one of noble mind, the lip of falsehood.

Webster

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

World English Bible

Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

Youngs Literal Translation

Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.

Interlinear

English(KJV)
Strong's
Root Form
Definition
Usage
שׂפת שׂפה 
Saphah 
Usage: 176

נאוה 
Na'veh 
Usage: 10

not a fool
נבל 
Nabal 
Usage: 18

שׁקר 
Sheqer 
Usage: 113

שׂפת שׂפה 
Saphah 
Usage: 176

References

Hastings

Context Readings

Proverbs Of Solomon

6 Grandchildren are the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers. 7 Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are lying lips to a prince.
8 A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.

Cross References

2 Samuel 23:3

The God of Israel has spoken; the Rock of Israel has said to me: When one rules justly over men, ruling in the fear of God,

Job 34:12

Of a truth, God will not do wickedly, and the Almighty will not pervert justice.

Psalm 50:16-17

But to the wicked God says: "What right have you to recite my statutes or take my covenant on your lips?

Psalm 101:3-5

I will not set before my eyes anything that is worthless. I hate the work of those who fall away; it shall not cling to me.

Proverbs 12:19

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

Proverbs 16:10-13

An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment.

Proverbs 26:7

Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless, is a proverb in the mouth of fools.

Proverbs 29:12

If a ruler listens to falsehood, all his officials will be wicked.

Matthew 7:5

You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye.

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Word Concordance

King James Version Public Domain

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers.

International Standard Version Copyright © 1996-2008 by the ISV Foundation.

New American Standard Bible Copyright ©1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit http://www.lockman.org

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.

American Standard Version Public Domain

NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. NetBible

Basic English, produced by Mr C. K. Ogden of the Orthological Institute - public domain