Parallel Verses
Amplified
Excellent speech does not benefit a fool [who is spiritually blind],
Much less do lying lips benefit a prince.
New American Standard Bible
Much less are
King James Version
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
Holman Bible
how much worse are lies for a ruler.
International Standard Version
Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool; how much more are deceitful statements with a prince!
A Conservative Version
Excellent speech is not appropriate to a fool, much less lying lips to a prince.
American Standard Version
Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.
Bible in Basic English
Fair words are not to be looked for from a foolish man, much less are false lips in a ruler.
Darby Translation
Excellent speech becometh not a vile man; how much less do lying lips a noble!
Julia Smith Translation
The lip of excellence is not becoming to, the foolish one: much less the lip. of falsehood to the noble one.
King James 2000
Excellent speech becomes not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
Lexham Expanded Bible
{Fine speech} [is] not becoming a fool, {still less} [is] {false speech} for a ruler.
Modern King James verseion
An excellent lip is not fitting for a fool; much less are lying lips fitting for a prince.
Modern Spelling Tyndale-Coverdale
An eloquent speech becometh not a fool; much less a lying mouth, then, becometh a prince.
NET Bible
Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler!
New Heart English Bible
Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
The Emphasized Bible
Unseemly in an unworthy man, is the lip of excellence, much more, in one of noble mind, the lip of falsehood.
Webster
Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.
World English Bible
Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.
Youngs Literal Translation
Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.
Interlinear
Yether
Saphah
Sheqer
References
Hastings
Word Count of 20 Translations in Proverbs 17:7
Verse Info
Context Readings
Proverbs Of Solomon
6
Grandchildren are the crown of aged men,
And the glory of children is their fathers [who live godly lives].
Excellent speech does not benefit a fool [who is spiritually blind],
Much less do lying lips benefit a prince.
A bribe is like a bright, precious stone in the eyes of its owner;
Wherever he turns, he prospers.
Phrases
Cross References
2 Samuel 23:3
“The God of Israel,
The Rock of Israel spoke to me,
‘He who rules over men righteously,
Who rules in the fear of God,
Job 34:12
“Surely God will not act wickedly,
Nor will the Almighty pervert justice.
Psalm 50:16-17
But to the wicked God says:
“What right have you to recite My statutes
Or to take My covenant on your lips?
Psalm 101:3-5
I will set no worthless or wicked thing before my eyes.
I hate the practice of those who fall away [from the right path];
It will not grasp hold of me.
Proverbs 12:19
Truthful lips will be established forever,
But a lying tongue is [credited] only for a moment.
Proverbs 16:10-13
A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative];
His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment.
Proverbs 26:7
Like the legs which are useless to the lame,
So is a proverb in the mouth of a fool [who cannot learn from its wisdom].
Proverbs 29:12
If a ruler pays attention to lies [and encourages corruption],
All his officials will become wicked.
Matthew 7:5