An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 12:13
What does Proverbs 12:13 mean?
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Proverbs 12:13
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This verse highlights that the snare isn't just any bad word, but specifically "transgression of his lips"—words that betray trust, speak falsely, or maliciously attack others. The righteous person, in contrast, is able to navigate and escape troubles, implying their words are built on truth and integrity, creating a path to freedom rather than a trap.
An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This proverb sits within a larger section of Proverbs contrasting the ways of the wicked and the righteous. It follows teachings about the importance of diligence and the dangers of foolish speech, setting the stage for a direct comparison of how words and actions lead to vastly different outcomes for those who fear God versus those who don't.
Ever felt trapped by something you said? Or watched someone else get caught in their own words? This verse reveals a deep truth about our speech.
Proverbs 12:13 paints a vivid picture: 'An evil man is snared by the transgression of his lips.' This isn't just about a slip of the tongue; it's about the deliberate, harmful words that can trip us up.
The Trap of Harmful Speech
This snare isn't always immediate or obvious, but the proverb assures us that destructive speech ultimately leads to ruin for the one who speaks it.
While the wicked get caught, the righteous 'escapes.' How is this possible? It’s not about perfection, but about a different way of living and speaking.
The second half of Proverbs 12:13 offers a hopeful contrast: 'but the righteous escapes from trouble.' This isn't to say the righteous never face hardship, but they navigate it differently, ultimately finding deliverance.
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Walking Free
The contrast is stark: while harmful words build a prison, righteous speech, rooted in a right heart, leads to freedom, even amidst life's challenges.
Understand the original words
pesha' · Hebrew Noun
Refers to a rebellion or violation against God's law or the standards of neighborly love. It involves a willful act of wrongdoing that carries legal and spiritual consequences, often binding the perpetrator in their own sin.
This passage directly echoes Proverbs 12:13 by stating that people will be held accountable for every careless word they speak, linking speech directly to judgment and its consequences.
Psalm 7:15-16This psalm illustrates Proverbs 12:13 by showing how those who plot evil and injustice often become trapped by their own wicked schemes, with their own wrongdoing leading to their downfall.
James 3:5-10James powerfully describes the destructive potential of the tongue, providing a New Testament perspective on how uncontrolled speech, like that of the wicked in Proverbs, can bring ruin and entanglement.
Proverbs 18:7This verse offers a parallel saying, stating that 'The mouth of the foolish is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul,' reinforcing the idea that foolish or wicked speech ensnares the speaker.
clarkeProverbs 12:13: "The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble."
The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips - A man who deals in lies and false oaths will sooner or later be found out to his own ruin. There is another proverb as true as this: A liar had need of a good memory; for as the truth is not in him, he says and unsays, and often contradicts himself.
pulpitProverbs 12:13: "The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble."
Verse 13. - The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips; rather, in the transgression of the lips is an evil snare (Proverbs 18:7). A man by speaking unadvisedly or intemperately brings trouble upon himself, involves himself in difficulties which he did not foresee. Often when he has spoken in order to injure others, the slander or the censure has redounded on himself (comp…
This verse highlights that the snare isn't just any bad word, but specifically "transgression of his lips"—words that betray trust, speak falsely, or maliciously attack others. The righteous person, in contrast, is able to navigate and escape troubles, implying their words are built on truth and integrity, creating a path to freedom rather than a trap.
This proverb sits within a larger section of Proverbs contrasting the ways of the wicked and the righteous. It follows teachings about the importance of diligence and the dangers of foolish speech, setting the stage for a direct comparison of how words and actions lead to vastly different outcomes for those who fear God versus those who don't.
This proverb sits within a larger section of Proverbs contrasting the ways of the wicked and the righteous. It follows teachings about the importance of diligence and the dangers of foolish speech, setting the stage for a direct comparison of how words and actions lead to vastly different outcomes for those who fear God versus those who don't.
"An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous escapes from trouble." — This verse highlights that the snare isn't just any bad word, but specifically "transgression of his lips"—words that betray trust, speak falsely, or maliciously attack others. The righteous person…
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Last reviewed October 2026