Worthy.Bible » KJV » Proverbs » Chapter 4 » Verse 24

Proverbs 4:24 King James Version (KJV)

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

Cross Reference

James 1:26 KJV

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 8:8 KJV

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

Ephesians 4:25-31 KJV

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. Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers. And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

James 1:21 KJV

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

1 Peter 2:1 KJV

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

Job 11:14 KJV

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

Proverbs 6:12 KJV

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

Proverbs 8:13 KJV

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

Proverbs 17:20 KJV

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

Ezekiel 18:31 KJV

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?

Colossians 3:8 KJV

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

1 Timothy 6:5 KJV

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

Commentary on Proverbs 4 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible


CHAPTER 4

Pr 4:1-27. To an earnest call for attention to his teachings, the writer adds a commendation of wisdom, preceded and enforced by the counsels of his father and teacher. To this he adds a caution (against the devices of the wicked), and a series of exhortations to docility, integrity, and uprightness.

1, 2. (Compare Pr 1:8).

to know—in order to know.

doctrine—the matter of learning (Pr 1:5), such as he had received (La 3:1).

3. father's son—emphatic, a son specially regarded, and so called tender, as an object of special care (compare 1Ch 22:7; 29:1); an idea further expressed by

only beloved—or, "as an only son" (Ge 22:2), though he had brothers (see on 1Ch 3:5).

4. He taught—or directed me.

retain—as well as receive.

keep … and live—observe, that you may live (Pr 7:2).

5. Get—as a possession not to be given up.

neither decline—that is, from obeying my word.

6. Not only accept but love wisdom, who will keep thee from evil, and evil from thee.

7. (Compare Job 28:28).

getting—or possession; a desire for wisdom is wise.

8. As you highly esteem her, she will raise you to honor.

embrace her—with fond affection.

9. ornament—such as the chaplet or wreath of conquerors.

deliver—(Compare Ge 14:20). The allusion to a shield, contained in the Hebrew, suggests protection as well as honor (compare Pr 4:6).

10. (Compare Pr 2:1; 3:2).

11, 12. way of wisdom—which it prescribes.

led thee—literally, "caused thee to tread," as a path (Ps 107:7).

not be straitened—have ample room (Ps 18:36).

13. (Compare Pr 3:18). The figure of laying hold with the hand suggests earnest effort.

14. (Compare Ps 1:1). Avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil.

16, 17. The reason is found in the character of sinners, whose zeal to do evil is forcibly depicted (Pr 6:4; Ps 36:5). They live by flagrant vices (Pr 1:13). Some prefer to render, "Their bread is wickedness, their drink violence" (compare Job 15:16; 34:7).

18, 19. As shining light increases from twilight to noonday splendor, so the course of the just increases in purity, but that of the wicked is as thickest darkness, in which one knows not on what he stumbles.

20-22. (Compare Pr 4:10, 13; Pr 3:8, &c.).

22. health … flesh—by preserving from vices destructive of health.

23. with all diligence—or, "above," or "more than all," custody (compare Margin), all that is kept (compare Eze 38:7), because the heart is the depository of all wisdom and the source of whatever affects life and character (Mt 12:35; 15:19).

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."

25. Let … before thee—that is, pursue a sincere and direct purpose, avoiding temptations.

26. Ponder—Consider well; a wise course results from wise forethought.

27. (Compare Pr 4:25). Avoid all by-paths of evil (De 2:27; 17:11). A life of integrity requires attention to heart, speech, eyes, and conduct.