Proverbs 4 · Verse 24

Proverbs 4:24

Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
Proverbs 4:24, King James Version

Proverbs 4:24 in other translations

BSBPut away deception from your mouth; keep your lips from perverse speech.
WEBPut away from yourself a perverse mouth. Put corrupt lips far from you.
ASVPut away from thee a wayward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee.
YLTTurn aside from thee a froward mouth, And perverse lips put far from thee,
DARBYPut away from thee perverseness of mouth, and corrupt lips put far from thee.
BBEPut away from you an evil tongue, and let false lips be far from you.
WebsterPut away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

What does Proverbs 4:24 mean?

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown
24. a froward mouth--that is, a mouth, or words of ill nature. The Hebrew word differs from that used (Pr 2:15; 3:32). perverse--or, "quarreling." lips--or, "words."

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

Adam Clarke's Commentary
Verse 24 A froward mouth - Beware of hastiness, anger, and rash speeches. And perverse lips - Do not delight in nor acquire the habit of contradicting and gainsaying; and beware of calumniating and backbiting your neighbor.

Adam Clarke, 1831 · public domain

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on Proverbs 4:14-27

The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compass some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it. The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there…

Read the full comment on Proverbs 4:14-27 →

Proverbs 4:24 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.

הָסֵ֣רha.SerremoveH5493
מִ֭מְּךָMi.me.khafrom yourselfH4480
עִקְּשׁ֣וּת'i.ke.Shutcrookedness ofH6143
פֶּ֑הPehmouthH6310
וּלְז֥וּתu.le.Zutand deviousness ofH3891
שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִםSe.fa.Ta.yimlipsH8193
הַרְחֵ֥קhar.Chekput far awayH7368
מִמֶּֽךָּ\׃mi.Me.kafrom yourselfH4480

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

Cross references for Proverbs 4:24

  • Proverbs 8:8

    All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.

  • 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 8:13

    The fear of the Lord is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.

  • Ephesians 4:25-31

    Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil. Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. …

  • 1 Peter 2:1

    Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

  • Proverbs 6:12

    A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.

  • James 1:21

    Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

  • Colossians 3:8

    But now ye also put off all these; anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth.

  • Proverbs 17:20

    He that hath a froward heart findeth no good: and he that hath a perverse tongue falleth into mischief.

  • 1 Timothy 6:5

    Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.

  • Job 11:14

    If iniquity be in thine hand, put it far away, and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles.

  • Ezekiel 18:31

    Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel?

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

Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Put.
Job 11:14; Eze 18:31; Eph 4:25-31; Col 3:8; Jas 1:21,26; 1Pe 2:1
a, etc. Heb. frowardness of mouth, and perverseness of lips.
8:8,13; 17:20; 1Ti 6:5

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

Context

  • Proverbs 4:23

    Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.

  • Proverbs 4:24

    Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.

  • Proverbs 4:25

    Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.

Read all of Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4:24 in other languages

Spanish
Reina-Valera 1909		Aparta de ti la perversidad de la boca, y aleja de ti la iniquidad de labios.
French
Bible J.N. Darby 1885		Écarte de toi la fausseté de la bouche, et éloigne de toi la perversité des lèvres.
German
Elberfelder 1871		Tue von dir die Verkehrtheit des Mundes, und die Verdrehtheit der Lippen entferne von dir. -
Latin
Clementine Vulgate		Remove a te os pravum, et detrahentia labia sint procul a te.