20 From the fruit of his mouth a man’s belly is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied.
21 Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Focused Passage
Proverbs 18:20-21
The Power of Words: Isolation, Pride, Justice, Friendship, and the Name of the LORD
The chapter moves from isolation and foolish speech, to justice and gossip, to true refuge in the LORD contrasted with false wealth-security, to listening and knowledge, to disputes and the tongue's power, and finally to marriage, poverty, and faithful friendship.
Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources
Study Helps
References and Original Words
Verse 20
Cross-references
Original words
From the fruit מִפְּרִ֣י H6529 Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct of his mouth פִי־ H6310 Noun - masculine singular construct a man’s אִ֭ישׁ H376 Noun - masculine singular belly בִּטְנ֑וֹ H990 Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular is filled תִּשְׂבַּ֣ע H7646 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person feminine singular with the harvest תְּבוּאַ֖ת H8393 Noun - feminine singular construct from his lips שְׂפָתָ֣יו H8193 Noun - feminine dual construct | third person masculine singular he is satisfied יִשְׂבָּֽע׃ H7646 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Verse 21
Cross-references
Original words
Life וְ֭חַיִּים H2416 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural and death מָ֣וֶת H4194 Noun - masculine singular are in the power בְּיַד־ H3027 Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct of the tongue לָשׁ֑וֹן H3956 Noun - common singular and those who love [it] וְ֝אֹהֲבֶ֗יהָ H157 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct | third person feminine singular will eat יֹאכַ֥ל H398 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular its fruit פִּרְיָֽהּ׃ H6529 Noun - masculine singular construct | third person feminine singular