Proverbs 12:17

He that speaketh that, that he knoweth, is a judge of rightfulness; but he that lieth, is a guileful witness. (He who speaketh what he knoweth, is a just judge or is a judge of righteousness; but he who lieth, is a deceitful witness.)

Wycliffe Modern Spelling

In The King James Version

He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

In Context

16A fool showeth anon his ire; but he that dissembleth wrongs, is wise. (A fool showeth his anger at once; but he who overlooketh wrongs, is wise.)

18A man is that promiseth, and he is pricked as with the sword of conscience; but the tongue of wise men is health. (There is a person who speaketh, and his words cut like a sword; but the tongues of the wise give health.)

Read all of Proverbs 12

Cross References

1 Samuel 22:14And Ahimelech answered to the king, and said, Who among all thy servants is so faithful as David, and he is thy son-in-law, and going at thy behest, and glorious in all thine house? (And Ahimelech answered the king, and said, Who among all thy servants is as faithful as David, and he is the king’s son-in-law, and doeth thy bidding, and who is more honourable in all thy household?)

Proverbs 14:5A faithful witness shall not lie; a guileful witness bringeth forth a leasing (or a deceitful witness bringeth forth many lies).

Proverbs 19:5A false witness shall not be unpunished; and he that speaketh leasings, shall not escape. (A lying witness shall not go unpunished; and he who speaketh lies, shall not escape.)

Proverbs 21:28A false witness shall perish; a man obedient shall speak victory (or but an honest person shall speak, and be rewarded).

Matthew 15:19For of the heart go out evil thoughts [or For out of the heart cometh evil thoughts], manslayings, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnessings (or false testimonies), blasphemies.

Acts 6:13And they ordained false witnesses, that said, This man ceaseth not to speak words against the holy place, and the law.

Matthew Henry on Proverbs 12:17

16 A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame. Note, 1. Passion is folly: A fool is known by his anger (so some read it); not but that a wise man may be angry when there is just cause for it, but then he has his anger under check and direction, is lord of his anger, whereas a fool's anger lords it over him. He that, when he is provoked, breaks out into indecent expressions, in words or behaviour, whose passion alters his countenance, makes him outrageous, and leads him to forget himself,… Read the whole commentary →

This Verse In Other Editions

Study Proverbs 12:17