God’s speech
The plans of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. Proverbs 16:1 (ESV)
For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding; Proverbs 2:6 (ESV)
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. Proverbs 30:5-6 (ESV)
Wisdom as the godly speaker
Does not wisdom call? Does not understanding raise her voice? On the heights beside the way, at the crossroads she takes her stand; beside the gates in front of the town, at the entrance of the portals she cries aloud: To you, O men, I call, and my cry is to the children of man. O simple ones, learn prudence; O fools, learn sense. Hear, for I will speak noble things, and from my lips will come what is right for my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips. All the words of my mouth are righteous; there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. They are all straight to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge. Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold. Proverbs 8:1-10 (ESV)
The tongue indicates a person’s character
a. For evil
Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble. Proverbs 24:1–2 (ESV)
A worthless witness mocks at justice, and the mouth of the wicked devours iniquity. Proverbs 19:28 (ESV)
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. Proverbs 8:13 (ESV)
A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. Proverbs 16:27 (ESV)
An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue. Proverbs 17:4 (ESV)
b. For good
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse. Proverbs 10:31-32 (ESV)
On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense. Proverbs 10:13 (ESV)
The words of a man's mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. Proverbs 18:4 (ESV)
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouths of fools pour out folly. Proverbs 15:2 (ESV)
The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so the hearts of fools. Proverbs 15:7 (ESV)
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Proverbs 16:23 (ESV)
Righteous lips are the delight of a king, and he loves him who speaks what is right. Proverbs 16:13 (ESV)
The effect of speech on our lives
a. For ill
A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity. Proverbs 17:20 (ESV)
By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. Proverbs 14:3 (ESV)
A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating. A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul. Proverbs 18:6-7 (ESV)
The wise lay up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near. Proverbs 10:14 (ESV)
An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble. Proverbs 12:13 (ESV)
By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is overthrown. Proverbs 11:11 (ESV)
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. Proverbs 12:6 (ESV)
The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, angry looks. Proverbs 25:23 (ESV)
b. For good
From the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach is satisfied; he is satisfied by the yield of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:20-21 (ESV)
He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. Proverbs 22:11 (ESV)
From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. Proverbs 13:2 (ESV)
There is gold and abundance of costly stones, but the lips of knowledge are a precious jewel. Proverbs 20:15 (ESV)
From the fruit of his mouth a man is satisfied with good, and the work of a man's hand comes back to him. Proverbs 12:14 (ESV)
From the fruit of his mouth a man eats what is good, but the desire of the treacherous is for violence. Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. Proverbs 13:2-3 (ESV)
By the mouth of a fool comes a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will preserve them. Proverbs 14:3 (ESV)
The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright delivers them. Proverbs 12:6 (ESV)
Deception
Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool. Proverbs 19:1 (ESV)
delivering you from the way of evil, from men of perverted speech, Proverbs 2:12 (ESV)
Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. Proverbs 4:24 (ESV)
A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about with crooked speech, Proverbs 6:12 (ESV)
Like the glaze covering an earthen vessel are fervent lips with an evil heart. Whoever hates disguises himself with his lips and harbors deceit in his heart; when he speaks graciously, believe him not, for there are seven abominations in his heart; though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Proverbs 26:23-26 (ESV)
A lying tongue hates its victims, and a flattering mouth works ruin. Proverbs 26:28 (ESV)
Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Proverbs 10:6 (ESV)
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. Proverbs 10:11 (ESV)
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off. Proverbs 10:31 (ESV)
though his hatred be covered with deception, his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly. Proverbs 26:26 (ESV)
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. Proverbs 10:18 (ESV)
that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge. For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, Proverbs 5:2-3 (ESV)
to preserve you from the evil woman, from the smooth tongue of the adulteress. Proverbs 6:24 (ESV)
With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk she compels him. Proverbs 7:21 (ESV)
Whoever rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with his tongue. Proverbs 28:23 (ESV)
Slander - speaking lies against others
The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor. Proverbs 22:12 (ESV)
Things the LORD hates- haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood… a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Proverbs 6:17 (ESV)
A faithful witness does not lie, but a false witness breathes out lies. Proverbs 14:5 (ESV)
Be not a witness against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips. Proverbs 24:28 (ESV)
A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful. Proverbs 14:25 (ESV)
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will not escape. Proverbs 19:5 (ESV)
A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who breathes out lies will perish. Proverbs 19:9 (ESV)
Do not slander a servant to his master, lest he curse you and you be held guilty. Proverbs 30:10 (ESV)
A false witness will perish, but the word of a man who hears will endure. Proverbs 21:28 (ESV)
With his mouth the godless man would destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the righteous are delivered. Proverbs 11:9 (ESV)
Outright lies
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight.Proverbs 12:22 (ESV)
The getting of treasures by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a snare of death. Proverbs 21:6 (ESV)
Gossip
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Proverbs 18:8 (ESV)
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. Proverbs 26:22 (ESV)
A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. Proverbs 16:28 (ESV)
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. Proverbs 20:19 (ESV)
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered. Proverbs 11:13 (ESV)
For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. Proverbs 26:20 (ESV)
Gentle speech
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 (ESV)
The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. Proverbs 15:30 (ESV)
The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Proverbs 16:21 (ESV)
With patience a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue will break a bone. Proverbs 25:15 (ESV)
Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)
A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)
To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is! Proverbs 15:23 (ESV)
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but gracious words are pure. Proverbs 15:26 (ESV)
Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24 (ESV)
Speaking truth
Whoever gives an honest answer kisses the lips. Proverbs 24:26 (ESV)
Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. Proverbs 12:17 (ESV)
Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Proverbs 12:19 (ESV)
A truthful witness saves lives, but one who breathes out lies is deceitful. Proverbs 14:25 (ESV)
Buy truth, and do not sell it; buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding. Proverbs 23:23 (ESV)
Speaking few words and carefully
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment. Proverbs 12:18-19 (ESV)
The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice. Proverbs 12:15 (ESV)
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. Proverbs 15:28 (ESV)
Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in h the future. Proverbs 19:20 (ESV)
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)
Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler. Proverbs 20:19 (ESV)
Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 29:19-20 (ESV)
Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin. Proverbs 13:3 (ESV)
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. Proverbs 17:28 (ESV)
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23 (ESV)
If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame. Proverbs 18:13 (ESV)
Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23 (ESV)
Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent. Proverbs 11:12 (ESV)
Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent. Proverbs 17:28 (ESV)
When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. Proverbs 10:19 (ESV)
Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding. Proverbs 17:27 (ESV)
Speaking to bring justice
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Proverbs 31:8-9 (ESV)
An oracle is on the lips of a king; his mouth does not sin in judgment. Proverbs 16:10 (ESV)
Boasting and praising
A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised. Proverbs 12:8 (ESV)
Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips. Proverbs 27:2 (ESV)
If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth. Proverbs 30:32 (ESV)
Bad, Bad," says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts. Proverbs 20:14 (ESV)
Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of a gift he does not give. Proverbs 25:14 (ESV)
Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring. Proverbs 27:1 (ESV)
The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, and a man is tested by his praise. Proverbs 27:21 (ESV)
Those who forsake the law praise the wicked, but those who keep the law strive against them. Proverbs 28:4 (ESV)
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Proverbs 31:28 (ESV)
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:31 (ESV)
Multiple images
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool. When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent. The tongue of the righteous is choice silver; the heart of the wicked is of little worth. The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. Proverbs 10:18-21 (ESV)