Proverbs 21 · Verse 23

Proverbs 21:23

Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
Proverbs 21:23, King James Version

Proverbs 21:23 in other translations

BSBHe who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.
WEBWhoever guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
ASVWhoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue Keepeth his soul from troubles.
YLTWhoso is keeping his mouth and his tongue, Is keeping from adversities his soul.
DARBYWhoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.
BBEHe who keeps watch over his mouth and his tongue keeps his soul from troubles.
WebsterWhoever keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

What does Proverbs 21:23 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
23. (Compare Pr 13:2, 3; Jas 3:6-10).

Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown, 1871 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary
It is our great concern to keep our souls from being entangled and disquieted.

Matthew Henry, 1706 · public domain

Proverbs 21:23 in the original Hebrew

Word-by-word with transliteration, English gloss and Strong's number. Tap a number for the full definition and every place the word is used.

שֹׁמֵ֣רsho.Mer[one who] guardsH8104
פִּ֭יוpivmouth hisH6310
וּלְשׁוֹנ֑וֹu.le.sho.Noand tongue hisH3956
שֹׁמֵ֖רsho.Mer[is] keepingH8104
מִצָּר֣וֹתmi.tza.Rotfrom troublesH6869
נַפְשֽׁוֹ\׃naf.Shoself hisH5315

Source: STEPBible TAHOT/TAGNT (Tyndale House, CC BY 4.0).

Cross references for Proverbs 21:23

  • Proverbs 13:3

    He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: but he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.

  • Proverbs 18:21

    Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

  • Proverbs 17:27-28

    He that hath knowledge spareth his words: and a man of understanding is of an excellent spirit. Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

  • James 1:26

    If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.

  • Proverbs 12:13

    The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

  • Proverbs 10:19

    In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

  • James 3:2-13

    For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! …

Ranked by reader votes · OpenBible.info cross references (CC BY).

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
10:19; 12:13; 13:3; 17:27,28; 18:21; Jas 1:26; 3:2-13

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (Samuel Bagster, c. 1836) · public domain

Context

  • Proverbs 21:22

    A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof.

  • Proverbs 21:23

    Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.

  • Proverbs 21:24

    Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.

Read all of Proverbs 21

Proverbs 21:23 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		El que guarda su boca y su lengua, su alma guarda de angustias.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Qui garde sa bouche et sa langue, garde son âme de détresses.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Wer seinen Mund und seine Zunge bewahrt, bewahrt vor Drangsalen seine Seele.
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Qui custodit os suum et linguam suam custodit ab angustiis animam suam.