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Proverbs 12:17–23

17 An honest witness tells the truth;

a false witness tells lies.

18 Some people make cutting remarks,

but the words of the wise bring healing.

19 Truthful words stand the test of time,

but lies are soon exposed.

20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;

joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

21 No harm comes to the godly,

but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22 The Lord detests lying lips,

but he delights in those who tell the truth.

23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,

but fools broadcast their foolishness.

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Proverbs 12:17–23 — The New International Version (NIV)

17 An honest witness tells the truth,

but a false witness tells lies.

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 Truthful lips endure forever,

but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,

but those who promote peace have joy.

21 No harm overtakes the righteous,

but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

22 The Lord detests lying lips,

but he delights in people who are trustworthy.

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,

but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.

Proverbs 12:17–23 — English Standard Version (ESV)

17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,

but a false witness utters deceit.

18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 Truthful lips endure forever,

but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,

but those who plan peace have joy.

21 No ill befalls the righteous,

but the wicked are filled with trouble.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

but those who act faithfully are his delight.

23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,

but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Proverbs 12:17–23 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness:

But a false witness deceit.

18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword:

But the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever:

But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil:

But to the counsellers of peace is joy.

21 There shall no evil happen to the just:

But the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

22 Lying lips are abomination to the Lord:

But they that deal truly are his delight.

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge:

But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Proverbs 12:17–23 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

17 He who speaks truth declares righteousness,

But a false witness, deceit.

18 There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword,

But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

19 The truthful lip shall be established forever,

But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,

But counselors of peace have joy.

21 No grave trouble will overtake the righteous,

But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

But those who deal truthfully are His delight.

23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,

But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

Proverbs 12:17–23 — New Century Version (NCV)

17 An honest witness tells the truth,

but a dishonest witness tells lies.

18 Careless words stab like a sword,

but wise words bring healing.

19 Truth will continue forever,

but lies are only for a moment.

20 Those who plan evil are full of lies,

but those who plan peace are happy.

21 No harm comes to a good person,

but an evil person’s life is full of trouble.

22 The Lord hates those who tell lies

but is pleased with those who keep their promises.

23 Wise people keep what they know to themselves,

but fools can’t keep from showing how foolish they are.

Proverbs 12:17–23 — American Standard Version (ASV)

17 He that uttereth truth showeth forth righteousness;

But a false witness, deceit.

18 There is that speaketh rashly like the piercings of a sword;

But the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever;

But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil;

But to the counsellors of peace is joy.

21 There shall no mischief happen to the righteous;

But the wicked shall be filled with evil.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah;

But they that deal truly are his delight.

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge;

But the heart of fools proclaimeth foolishness.

Proverbs 12:17–23 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

17 He that uttereth truth sheweth forth righteousness; but a false witness deceit.

18 There is that babbleth like the piercings of a sword; but the tongue of the wise is health.

19 The lip of truth shall be established for ever; but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of them that devise evil; but to the counsellors of peace is joy.

21 There shall no evil happen to a righteous man; but the wicked shall be filled with mischief.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to Jehovah; but they that deal truly are his delight.

23 A prudent man concealeth knowledge; but the heart of the foolish proclaimeth folly.

Proverbs 12:17–23 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

17 A truthful witness speaks honestly, 

but a lying witness speaks deceitfully. 

18 Careless words stab like a sword, 

but the words of wise people bring healing. 

19 The word of truth lasts forever, 

but lies last only a moment. 

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil, 

but joy belongs to those who advise peace. 

21 No ⸤lasting⸥ harm comes to a righteous person, 

but wicked people have lots of trouble. 

22 Lips that lie are disgusting to the Lord

but honest people are his delight. 

23 A sensible person ⸤discreetly⸥ hides knowledge, 

but foolish minds preach stupidity. 

Proverbs 12:17–23 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,

but a false witness, deceit.

18 There is one who speaks rashly,

like a piercing sword;

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 Truthful lips endure forever,

but a lying tongue, only a moment.

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,

but those who promote peace have joy.

21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,

but the wicked are full of misery.

22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord,

but faithful people are His delight.

23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,

but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.

Proverbs 12:17–23 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,

but a false witness speaks deceitfully.

18 Rash words are like sword thrusts,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 Truthful lips endure forever,

but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

20 Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,

but those who counsel peace have joy.

21 No harm happens to the righteous,

but the wicked are filled with trouble.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

but those who act faithfully are his delight.

23 One who is clever conceals knowledge,

but the mind of a fool broadcasts folly.

Proverbs 12:17–23 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

17 He who will speak truth will reveal righteousness,

but the witness of falsehood, deceit.

18 There is one who speaks rashly, like the thrust of a sword,

but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 A lip of truth endures forever,

but a tongue of deception lasts only a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil,

but to those who plan peace, there is joy.

21 No evil will happen to the righteous,

but the wicked are filled with trouble.

22 An abomination of Yahweh are lips of deceit,

but they who act faithfully are his delight.

23 A clever person conceals knowledge,

but the heart of a fool announces folly.

Proverbs 12:17–23 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

17 An honest witness tells the truth.

But a dishonest witness tells lies.

18 Thoughtless words cut like a sword.

But the tongue of wise people brings healing.

19 Truthful words last forever.

But lies last for only a moment.

20 There are lies in the hearts of those who plan evil.

But there is joy for those who work to bring peace.

21 No harm comes to godly people.

But sinners have all the trouble they can handle.

22 The Lord hates those whose lips tell lies.

But he is pleased with people who tell the truth.

23 Wise people keep their knowledge to themselves.

But the hearts of foolish people shout foolish things.

Proverbs 12:17–23 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)

17 He who speaks truth tells what is right,

But a false witness, deceit.

18 There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,

But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

19 Truthful lips will be established forever,

But a lying tongue is only for a moment.

20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,

But counselors of peace have joy.

21 No harm befalls the righteous,

But the wicked are filled with trouble.

22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,

But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

23 A prudent man conceals knowledge,

But the heart of fools proclaims folly.


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