Proverbs 15:2

American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

The tongue of the wise uttereth knowledge aright; But the mouth of fools poureth out folly.

Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

לְשׁ֣וֹן חֲ֭כָמִים תֵּיטִ֣יב דָּ֑עַת וּפִ֥י כְ֝סִילִ֗ים יַבִּ֥יעַ אִוֶּֽלֶת׃

Transliteration

Ləšôn ḥăḵāmîm têṭîḇ dāʿat and-p̄î ḵəsîlîm yabbîaʿ ʾiwwelet

Grammar Details

*Ləšôn*: noun, feminine singular construct - tongue/language
*ḥăḵāmîm*: adjective, masculine plural - wise ones
*têṭîḇ*: hiphil imperfect, 3rd feminine singular - makes good/does well with
*dāʿat*: noun, feminine singular - knowledge
*p̄î*: noun, masculine singular construct - mouth of
*ḵəsîlîm*: noun, masculine plural - fools
*yabbîaʿ*: hiphil imperfect, 3rd masculine singular - pours out/utters
*ʾiwwelet*: noun, feminine singular - folly/foolishness

Word Meanings

*Ləšôn ḥăḵāmîm*: tongue of the wise/speech of wise men
*têṭîḇ*: makes good/adorns/uses properly
*dāʿat*: knowledge/understanding/insight
*p̄î ḵəsîlîm*: mouth of fools/speech of the foolish
*yabbîaʿ*: pours forth/bubbles over with/gushes out
*ʾiwwelet*: folly/foolishness/stupidity

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 12:23 : 23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Prov 13:16 : 16 Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
Prov 15:28 : 28 The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Isa 50:4 : 4 The Lord Jehovah hath given me the tongue of them that are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as they that are taught.
Prov 16:23 : 23 The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
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.
Eccl 10:12-13 : 12 The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
Prov 15:23 : 23 A man hath joy in the answer of his mouth; And a word in due season, how good is it!
Ps 45:1 : 1 For the Chief Musician; set to Shoshannim. [A Psalm] of the sons of Korah. Maschil. A Song of loves. My heart overfloweth with a goodly matter; I speak the things which I have made touching the king: My tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
Ps 59:7 : 7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth; Swords are in their lips: For who, [say they], doth hear?

Similar Verses (AI)

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

Prov 15:7
86%
7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge; But the heart of the foolish [doeth] not so.
Prov 10:13-14
2 verses
85%
13In the lips of him that hath discernment wisdom is found; But a rod is for the back of him that is void of understanding.
14Wise men lay up knowledge; But the mouth of the foolish is a present destruction.
Prov 15:14
85%
14The heart of him that hath understanding seeketh knowledge; But the mouth of fools feedeth on folly.
Prov 14:3
84%
3In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for [his] pride; But the lips of the wise shall preserve them.
Prov 12:23
82%
23A prudent man concealeth knowledge; But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.
Prov 16:21-23
3 verses
82%
21The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is [their] folly.
23The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.
Eccl 10:12-13
2 verses
82%
12The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself.
13The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness; and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.
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.
Prov 29:11
81%
11A fool uttereth all his anger; But a wise man keepeth it back and stilleth it.
Prov 13:16
81%
16Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth [his] folly.
Prov 10:18-21
4 verses
80%
18He that hideth hatred is of lying lips; And he that uttereth a slander is a fool.
19In the multitude of words there wanteth not transgression; But he that refraineth his lips doeth wisely.
20The tongue of the righteous is [as] choice silver: The heart of the wicked is little worth.
21The lips of the righteous feed many; But the foolish die for lack of understanding.
Ps 37:30
79%
30The mouth of the righteous talketh of wisdom, And his tongue speaketh justice.
Prov 14:7-8
2 verses
79%
7Go into the presence of a foolish man, And thou shalt not perceive [in him] the lips of knowledge.
8The wisdom of the prudent is to understand his way; But the folly of fools is deceit.
Prov 15:4-5
2 verses
78%
4A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
5A fool despiseth his father's correction; But he that regardeth reproof getteth prudence.
Prov 18:6-7
2 verses
78%
6A fool's lips enter into contention, And his mouth calleth for stripes.
7A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are the snare of his soul.
Prov 14:24
78%
24The crown of the wise is their riches; [But] the folly of fools is [only] folly.
Prov 12:15-16
2 verses
78%
15The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; But he that is wise hearkeneth unto counsel.
16A fool's vexation is presently known; But a prudent man concealeth shame.
Prov 15:1
78%
1A soft answer turneth away wrath; But a grievous word stirreth up anger.
Prov 14:33
78%
33Wisdom resteth in the heart of him that hath understanding; But [that which is] in the inward part of fools is made known.
Prov 2:6
77%
6For Jehovah giveth wisdom; Out of his mouth [cometh] knowledge and understanding:
Prov 17:27-28
2 verses
77%
27He that spareth his words hath knowledge; And he that is of a cool spirit is a man of understanding.
28Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise; When he shutteth his lips, he is [esteemed as] prudent.
Prov 23:9
77%
9Speak not in the hearing of a fool; For he will despise the wisdom of thy words.
Prov 10:8
77%
8The wise in heart will receive commandments; But a prating fool shall fall.
Prov 15:28
77%
28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer; But the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
Prov 5:2
76%
2That thou mayest preserve discretion, And that thy lips may keep knowledge.
Prov 12:18
76%
18There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword; But the tongue of the wise is health.
Prov 24:7
76%
7Wisdom is too high for a fool: He openeth not his mouth in the gate.
Prov 17:24
76%
24Wisdom is before the face of him that hath understanding; But the eyes of a fool are in the ends of the earth.
Prov 26:5
76%
5Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own conceit.
Prov 18:15
76%
15The heart of the prudent getteth knowledge; And the ear of the wise seeketh knowledge.
Prov 14:18
75%
18The simple inherit folly; But the prudent are crowned with knowledge.
Prov 10:11
75%
11The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life; But violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.
Prov 14:16
75%
16A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil; But the fool beareth himself insolently, and is confident.
Prov 21:23
75%
23Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
Prov 19:1
74%
1Better is the poor that walketh in his integrity Than he that is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
Prov 18:4
74%
4The words of a man's mouth are [as] deep waters; The wellspring of wisdom is [as] a flowing brook.
Prov 17:20
74%
20He that hath a wayward heart findeth no good; And he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.