Proverbs 4:24
Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Proverbs 4:24
Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
This verse doesn't just caution against outright lies; it urges us to actively "put away" and "put far" speech that distorts the truth or twists what is right. It's about guarding not just our honesty, but the very integrity and directness of our words.
This passage is part of a larger section where Solomon is urging his son to guard his heart above all else, as it's the source of all life. Having just emphasized the importance of inward purity, he now turns to how that purity should manifest outwardly, specifically through speech. This verse is the starting point of a series of commands about controlling one's tongue and actions to ensure a life aligned with wisdom.
Understand the original words
'iqqeshut · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
This describes speech or actions that are bent, distorted, or deceitful. It characterizes a lifestyle that is not upright or aligned with the straight path of God's truth.
luz · Hebrew Noun/Adjective
This refers to speech characterized by guile, deceit, or shifting away from the truth. It suggests a lack of integrity and a tendency to manipulate or lead others astray.
Jesus states, 'Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks,' directly linking the inner disposition to outward speech, just as Proverbs emphasizes guarding the heart to control the tongue.
James 3:2This passage calls the tongue 'a restless evil, full of deadly poison,' highlighting the destructive power of uncontrolled speech and reinforcing the need to 'put away perverse lips'.
Ephesians 4:29Paul instructs believers to 'Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up,' echoing Proverbs' command to reject crooked and perverse speech in favor of wholesome communication.
Psalm 101:5This Psalm speaks of silencing those who secretly slander a neighbor and refusing to associate with the arrogant and proud, which aligns with Proverbs' call to distance oneself from 'devious talk'.
Colossians 4:6Believers are told to 'Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt,' which provides a positive counterpart to Proverbs' negative command, guiding us on what speech *should* be.
pulpitProverbs 4:24: "Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee."
Verse 24. - The following admonitions of this chapter bear reference to the outward conduct of life. They continue the subject of ver. 23 by showing how the guarding of the heart is to be done. There is the most; intimate connection between the heart as the fountain of the moral life and of the conduct of life, which, though determined by the condition of the heart, in its turn reacts upon the heart as the…
jfbProverbs 4:24: "Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee."
- 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."
This verse doesn't just caution against outright lies; it urges us to actively "put away" and "put far" speech that distorts the truth or twists what is right. It's about guarding not just our honesty, but the very integrity and directness of our words.
This passage is part of a larger section where Solomon is urging his son to guard his heart above all else, as it's the source of all life. Having just emphasized the importance of inward purity, he now turns to how that purity should manifest outwardly, specifically through speech. This verse is the starting point of a series of commands about controlling one's tongue and actions to ensure a life aligned with wisdom.
This passage is part of a larger section where Solomon is urging his son to guard his heart above all else, as it's the source of all life. Having just emphasized the importance of inward purity, he now turns to how that purity should manifest outwardly, specifically through speech. This verse is the starting point of a series of commands about controlling one's tongue and actions to ensure a life aligned with wisdom.
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"Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you." — This verse doesn't just caution against outright lies; it urges us to actively "put away" and "put far" speech that distorts the truth or twists what is right. It's about guarding not just our ho…