'Words' in the Bible

To know [skillful and godly] wisdom and instruction;To discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,

To understand a proverb and a figure [of speech] or an enigma with its interpretation,And the words of the wise and their riddles [that require reflection].

“If you will turn and pay attention to my rebuke,Behold, I [Wisdom] will pour out my spirit on you;I will make my words known to you.

My son, if you will receive my wordsAnd treasure my commandments within you,

To keep you from the immoral woman;From the seductress with her flattering words,

He taught me and said to me,“Let your heart hold fast my words;Keep my commandments and live.

“Get [skillful and godly] wisdom! Acquire understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]!Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth.

My son, pay attention to my words and be willing to learn;Open your ears to my sayings.

Now then, my sons, listen to meAnd do not depart from (forget) the words of my mouth.

If you have been snared with the words of your lips,If you have been trapped by the speech of your mouth,

When you walk about, they (the godly teachings of your parents) will guide you;When you sleep, they will keep watch over you;And when you awake, they will talk to you.

My son, keep my wordsAnd treasure my commandments within you [so they are readily available to guide you].

That they may keep you from the immoral woman,From the foreigner [who does not observe God’s laws and] who flatters with her [smooth] words.

Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,And pay attention to the words of my mouth.

“All the words of my mouth are in righteousness (upright, in right standing with God);There is nothing contrary to truth or perverted (crooked) in them.

When there are many words, transgression and offense are unavoidable,But he who controls his lips and keeps thoughtful silence is wise.

The [malevolent] words of the wicked lie in wait for [innocent] blood [to slander],But the mouth of the upright will rescue and protect them.

A man will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words,And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him [as a harvest].

A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath,But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.

Evil plans and thoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vile and offensive to the Lord,But pure words are pleasant words to Him.

Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.

He who has knowledge restrains and is careful with his words,And a man of understanding and wisdom has a cool spirit (self-control, an even temper).

The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters [copious and difficult to fathom];The fountain of [mature, godly] wisdom is like a bubbling stream [sparkling, fresh, pure, and life-giving].

The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].

A man’s stomach will be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth;He will be satisfied with the consequence of his words.

All the brothers of a poor man hate him;How much more do his friends abandon him!He pursues them with words, but they are gone.

Cease listening, my son, to instruction and disciplineAnd you will stray from the words of knowledge.

The eyes of the Lord keep guard over knowledge and the one who has it,But He overthrows the words of the treacherous.

Listen carefully and hear the words of the wise,And apply your mind to my knowledge;

To let you know the certainty of the words of truth,That you may give a correct answer to him who sent you?

The morsel which you have eaten you will vomit up,And you will waste your compliments.

Do not speak in the ears of a fool,For he will despise the [godly] wisdom of your words.

Apply your heart to disciplineAnd your ears to words of knowledge.

The words of a whisperer (gossip) are like dainty morsels [to be greedily eaten];They go down into the innermost chambers of the body [to be remembered and mused upon].

Like a [common] clay vessel covered with the silver dross [making it appear silver when it has no real value]Are burning lips [murmuring manipulative words] and a wicked heart.

A servant will not be corrected by words alone;For though he understands, he will not respond [nor pay attention].

Do you see a [conceited] man who speaks quickly [offering his opinions or answering without thinking]?There is more hope for a [thickheaded] fool than for him.

The words of Agur the son of Jakeh, the oracle:The man says to Ithiel, to Ithiel and to Ucal:

Do not add to His words,Or He will reprove you, and you will be found a liar.

The words of King Lemuel, the oracle, which his mother taught him: