Proverbs 10:20

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

The tongue of the righteous is [as] choice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

כֶּ֣סֶף נִ֭בְחָר לְשׁ֣וֹן צַדִּ֑יק לֵ֖ב רְשָׁעִ֣ים כִּמְעָֽט׃

Transliteration

kesep nibḥār ləšôn ṣaddîq lēb rəšāʿîm kimʿāṭ

Grammar Details

*kesep*: masculine singular noun - silver
*nibḥār*: Niphal participle masculine singular - chosen/select
*ləšôn*: feminine singular construct - tongue of
*ṣaddîq*: masculine singular adjective - righteous
*lēb*: masculine singular construct - heart of
*rəšāʿîm*: masculine plural adjective - wicked ones
*kimʿāṭ*: preposition + masculine singular noun - as little/of little worth

Word Meanings

*kesep*: silver/money/precious
*nibḥār*: chosen/select/choice
*ləšôn*: tongue/language/speech
*ṣaddîq*: righteous/just/lawful
*lēb*: heart/mind/understanding
*rəšāʿîm*: wicked ones/evil people/wrongdoers
*kimʿāṭ*: as little/of little worth/as nothing

ℹ️

About this Translation

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

Formal EquivalenceSource: American Standard VersionBest for: Word studies and original-language research

🎯 Translation Approach

A highly literal, word-for-word translation (ASV, 1901) augmented with Strong's numbering to connect English words to underlying Hebrew and Greek terms for study.

Word-for-word

5/5

Readability

2/5

💎 Distinctive Features

Integrated Strong's numbering: Links English terms to underlying Hebrew and Greek words for deeper lexical study.
Formal equivalence: Prioritizes close alignment with source-language forms and structures.
Divine name rendering: Frequently renders the Tetragrammaton as Jehovah in the Old Testament, following ASV tradition.
Study-focused formatting: Optimized for reference and research rather than casual reading.

✅ Strengths

High fidelity to original languages
Includes Strong's numbers for precise word study
Consistent lexical choices aid exegesis
Stable, longstanding scholarly text

⚠️ Considerations

Archaic language reduces readability
Older textual basis compared to some modern translations
Strong's numbers are a concordance index, not full lexical definitions

👥 Who is this for?

Ideal for

Pastors and teachers
Seminary students
Serious Bible students
Readers conducting word studies
Those referencing Hebrew/Greek tools

Consider alternatives for

Casual readers
Children and early teens
ESL learners seeking simple English
Readers preferring contemporary language

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Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

Prov 12:18 : 18 There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.
Prov 15:4 : 4 A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
Prov 16:13 : 13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right.
Prov 23:7 : 7 For as he thinketh within himself, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; But his heart is not with thee.
Prov 25:11-12 : 11 A word fitly spoken Is [like] apples of gold in network of silver. 12 [ As] an ear-ring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, [So is] a wise reprover upon an obedient ear.
Jer 17:9 : 9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and it is exceedingly corrupt: who can know it?
Matt 12:34-35 : 34 Ye offspring of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh. 35 The good man out of his good treasure bringeth forth good things: and the evil man out of his evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Gen 6:5 : 5 And Jehovah saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
Gen 8:21 : 21 And Jehovah smelled the sweet savor; and Jehovah said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake, for that the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done.
Prov 8:19 : 19 My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; And my revenue than choice silver.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

Prov 10:31-32
2 verses
81%
31The mouth of the righteous bringeth forth wisdom; But the perverse tongue shall be cut off.
32The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable; But the mouth of the wicked [speaketh] perverseness.
Ps 37:30
78%
30The mouth of the righteous talketh of wisdom, And his tongue speaketh justice.
Prov 10:21
78%
21The lips of the righteous feed many; But the foolish die for lack of understanding.
Prov 10:11
77%
11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life; But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Prov 15:28
77%
28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Prov 10:19
77%
19In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.
Prov 15:2
76%
2The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.
Ps 37:16
75%
16Better is a little that the righteous hath Than the abundance of many wicked.
Prov 15:6-7
2 verses
74%
6In the house of the righteous is much treasure; But in the revenues of the wicked is trouble.
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
Prov 26:23
74%
23Fervent lips and a wicked heart Are [like] an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross.
Prov 15:4
74%
4A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
Prov 17:3-4
2 verses
74%
3The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold; But Jehovah trieth the hearts.
4An evil-doer giveth heed to wicked lips; [And] a liar giveth ear to a mischievous tongue.
Prov 17:20
73%
20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.
Prov 12:18
73%
18There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.
Prov 16:23
73%
23The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
Prov 12:5-6
2 verses
73%
5The thoughts of the righteous are just; [But] the counsels of the wicked are deceit.
6The words of the wicked are of lying in wait for blood; But the mouth of the upright shall deliver them.
Prov 10:6
72%
6Blessings are upon the head of the righteous; But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Ps 10:7
72%
7His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression: Under his tongue is mischief and iniquity.
Prov 12:13
72%
13In the transgression of the lips is a snare to the evil man; But the righteous shall come out of trouble.
Prov 25:11
72%
11A word fitly spoken Is [like] apples of gold in network of silver.
Prov 8:6-7
2 verses
72%
6Hear, for I will speak excellent things; And the opening of my lips shall be right things.
7For my mouth shall utter truth; And wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
Prov 16:10
71%
10A divine sentence is in the lips of the king; His mouth shall not transgress in judgment.
Job 15:5
71%
5For thine iniquity teacheth thy mouth, And thou choosest the tongue of the crafty.
Prov 14:3
71%
3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for [his] pride; But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Prov 20:15
71%
15There is gold, and abundance of rubies; But the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel.
Prov 16:13
71%
13Righteous lips are the delight of kings; And they love him that speaketh right.
Jas 3:5
71%
5None So the tongue also is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how much wood is kindled by how small a fire!
Prov 10:2
71%
2Treasures of wickedness profit nothing; But righteousness delivereth from death.
Prov 18:4
71%
4The words of a man's mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.
Prov 11:23
71%
23The desire of the righteous is only good; [But] the expectation of the wicked is wrath.
Prov 21:23
71%
23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
Prov 16:8
71%
8Better is a little, with righteousness, Than great revenues with injustice.
Prov 19:1
71%
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Ps 34:13
71%
13Keep thy tongue from evil, And thy lips from speaking guile.
Eccl 10:12
70%
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
Prov 13:2
70%
2A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth; But the soul of the treacherous [shall eat] violence.
Ps 31:18
70%
18Let the lying lips be dumb, Which speak against the righteous insolently, With pride and contempt.
Prov 21:6-7
2 verses
70%
6The getting of treasures by a lying tongue Is a vapor driven to and fro by them that seek death.
7The violence of the wicked shall sweep them away, Because they refuse to do justice.
Prov 10:14
70%
14Wise men lay up knowledge; But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
Ps 50:19
70%
19Thou givest thy mouth to evil, And thy tongue frameth deceit.
Prov 16:21
70%
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Prov 15:14
70%
14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
Prov 23:16
70%
16Yea, my heart will rejoice, When thy lips speak right things.
Job 20:12
70%
12Though wickedness be sweet in his mouth, Though he hide it under his tongue,