New International Version“If you play the fool and exalt yourself, or if you plan evil, clap your hand over your mouth!
New Living TranslationIf you have been a fool by being proud or plotting evil, cover your mouth in shame.
English Standard VersionIf you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth.
Berean Standard BibleIf you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth.
King James BibleIf thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
New King James VersionIf you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have devised evil, put your hand on your mouth.
New American Standard BibleIf you have been foolish in exalting yourself, Or if you have plotted evil,put your hand on your mouth.
NASB 1995If you have been foolish in exalting yourself Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.
NASB 1977If you have been foolish in exalting yourself Or if you have plotted evil,put your hand on your mouth.
Legacy Standard BibleIf you have been wickedly foolish in lifting yourself up, Or if you have schemed evil, put your hand on your mouth.
Amplified BibleIf you have foolishly exalted yourself, Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.
Christian Standard BibleIf you have been foolish by exalting yourself or if you’ve been scheming, put your hand over your mouth.
Holman Christian Standard BibleIf you have been foolish by exalting yourself or if you’ve been scheming, put your hand over your mouth.
American Standard VersionIf thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, Or if thou hast thought evil, Lay thy hand upon thy mouth.
Contemporary English VersionIf you are foolishly bragging or planning something evil, then stop it now!
English Revised VersionIf thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationIf you are such a godless fool as to honor yourself, or if you scheme, you had better put your hand over your mouth.
Good News TranslationIf you have been foolish enough to be arrogant and plan evil, stop and think!
International Standard VersionIf you've foolishly exalted yourself or if you've plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth.
NET BibleIf you have done foolishly by exalting yourself or if you have planned evil, put your hand over your mouth!
New Heart English Bible"If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth.
Webster's Bible TranslationIf thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thy hand upon thy mouth. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleIf you have foolishly exalted yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand over your mouth.
World English Bible“If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, put your hand over your mouth. Literal Translations Literal Standard VersionIf you have been foolish in lifting yourself up, "" And if you have devised evil—hand to mouth!
Young's Literal Translation If thou hast been foolish in lifting up thyself, And if thou hast devised evil -- hand to mouth!
Smith's Literal TranslationIf thou wert foolish in lifting up thyself, and if thou purposed, the hand to the mouth. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThere is that hath appeared a fool after he was lifted up on high: for if he had understood, he would have laid his hand upon his mouth.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThere is one who has appeared foolish, after he was lifted up on high; for if he had understood, he would have placed his hand over his mouth.
New American BibleIf you have foolishly been proud or presumptuous—put your hand on your mouth;
New Revised Standard VersionIf you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleCovet not that you may not be reproached; do not feed yourself by things acquired wrongfully.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedDo not covet, lest you be despised, and do not stretch your hand to your mouth in depravity. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, Or if thou hast planned devices, lay thy hand upon thy mouth.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationIf thou abandon thyself to mirth, and stretch forth thine hand in a quarrel, thou shalt be disgraced.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Words of Agur… 31a strutting rooster; a he-goat; and a king with his army around him. 32Ifyou have foolishlyexalted yourselfor ifyou have plotted evil,put your handover your mouth.33For as the churning of milk yields butter, and the twisting of the nose draws blood, so the stirring of anger brings forth strife.”…
Cross References James 4:10Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.
1 Peter 5:6Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, so that in due time He may exalt you.
Matthew 5:22But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to his brother, ‘Raca,’ will be subject to the Sanhedrin. But anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be subject to the fire of hell.
Philippians 2:3Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves.
Romans 12:3For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.
1 Corinthians 10:12So the one who thinks he is standing firm should be careful not to fall.
Galatians 6:3If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
Luke 14:11For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted.”
2 Corinthians 10:5We demolish arguments and every presumption set up against the knowledge of God; and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.
Matthew 23:12For whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
Isaiah 2:11The proud look of man will be humbled, and the loftiness of men brought low; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day.
Isaiah 2:17So the pride of man will be brought low, and the loftiness of men will be humbled; the LORD alone will be exalted in that day,
Proverbs 16:18Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall.
Proverbs 11:2When pride comes, disgrace follows, but with humility comes wisdom.
Proverbs 18:12Before his downfall a man’s heart is proud, but humility comes before honor.
Treasury of Scripture If you have done foolishly in lifting up yourself, or if you have thought evil, lay your hand on your mouth. thou hast done Proverbs 26:12 Seest thou a man wise in his own conceit?there is more hope of a fool than of him. Ecclesiastes 8:3 Be not hasty to go out of his sight: stand not in an evil thing; for he doeth whatsoever pleaseth him. lay Proverbs 17:28 Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise:and he that shutteth his lipsis esteemed a man of understanding. Job 21:5 Mark me, and be astonished, and layyour hand uponyour mouth. Job 40:4 Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer thee? I will lay mine hand upon my mouth. Jump to Previous ClapDesignsDevicesDevisedDevisingEvilExaltedExaltingFoolFoolishFoolishlyHandLiftingMouthPlannedPlayedPlottedThoughtThyselfJump to Next ClapDesignsDevicesDevisedDevisingEvilExaltedExaltingFoolFoolishFoolishlyHandLiftingMouthPlannedPlayedPlottedThoughtThyselfProverbs 30 1.Agur's confession of his faith7.The two points of his prayer10.The meanest are not to be wronged11.Four wicked generations15.Four things insatiable24.four things exceeding wise29.Four things stately32.Wrath is to be preventedIf you have foolishly exalted yourselfThis phrase addresses the sin of pride, a recurring theme throughout the Bible. Pride is often seen as the root of many other sins, as it involves placing oneself above others and even above God. In biblical context, pride led to the fall of Lucifer ( Isaiah 14:12-15) and was a significant factor in the downfall of many kings of Israel and Judah. The Bible consistently warns against self-exaltation, emphasizing humility as a virtue ( Proverbs 16:18, James 4:6). The cultural context of ancient Israel valued humility and recognized the dangers of pride, as seen in the wisdom literature and teachings of the prophets. or if you have plotted evil
Plotting evil refers to the intentional planning or scheming to commit acts that are against God's commandments. This phrase highlights the moral responsibility of individuals to guard their thoughts and intentions. In the historical context of Israel, the law given to Moses included commandments against bearing false witness and coveting, which can lead to plotting evil (Exodus 20:16-17). The Bible often contrasts the righteous, who meditate on God's law, with the wicked, who devise evil plans (Psalm 1:1-2,Proverbs 6:16-19). This phrase serves as a reminder of the importance of aligning one's heart and mind with God's will. put your hand over your mouth
This expression is a call to self-restraint and silence in the face of wrongdoing. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, covering one's mouth was a gesture of humility and submission, acknowledging one's error or the presence of something greater. Biblically, it is akin to the advice given inJames 1:19, which encourages believers to be "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry." The act of putting one's hand over the mouth signifies a pause to reflect and repent, preventing further sin through speech or action. This aligns with the wisdom literature's emphasis on the power of words and the need for careful speech (Proverbs 10:19,Proverbs 17:28). Persons / Places / Events 1. AgurThe author of Proverbs 30, Agur son of Jakeh, is a figure about whom little is known. His sayings are included in the wisdom literature of the Bible, emphasizing humility and the fear of the Lord. 2. ProverbsA book in the Old Testament, part of the wisdom literature, traditionally attributed to Solomon. It contains sayings and teachings that provide guidance on how to live a life pleasing to God. 3. Self-exaltationThe act of elevating oneself in pride or arrogance, which is cautioned against in this verse. 4. Plotting evilThe act of devising or planning harm against others, which is condemned in biblical teachings. 5. Hand over the mouthA metaphorical expression suggesting silence or restraint, particularly in the context of prideful or harmful intentions. Teaching Points The Danger of PridePride leads to downfall and is contrary to the humility that God desires. Recognize and confess prideful thoughts or actions. The Power of RestraintExercising restraint, especially in speech, can prevent harm and maintain peace. Practice self-control in conversations and decisions. The Call to HumilityHumility is a virtue that aligns with God's will. Seek to humble yourself in all areas of life, trusting that God will honor this attitude. Guarding Against Evil IntentionsBe vigilant against plotting or wishing harm on others. Instead, cultivate thoughts and actions that reflect God's love and righteousness. Seeking God's WisdomRegularly seek God's wisdom through prayer and scripture to guide your actions and thoughts, ensuring they align with His will. Lists and Questions Top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 30
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What does 'fathers ate sour grapes' mean?(32) Lay thine hand upon thy mouth--i.e., be silent. Agur deprecates two things which may easily lead to a quarrel, arrogance and malice. He explains this in the next verse. Verses 32, 33. - Agur's last proverb, exhorting to discreet demeanour. Verse 32. - If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself ( Numbers 16:3). If thou hast had the folly to be arrogant, proud, and overbearing in conduct. Or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth. The verb zamam, though possibly used in a bad sense, "to devise evil," is more suitably rendered "to meditate," "purpose;" so here it is the thought of lifting up one's self that is censured, the act and the thought being contrasted. Hast thou acted arrogantly, or even only meditated doing so, restrain yourself, keep silence ( Job 21:5; Job 40:4). St. Jerome gives a different rendering, enforcing another lesson, "There is one who shows himself a fool after he is raised to high position; if he had had understanding, he would have laid his hand on his mouth." Septuagint, "If thou give thyself up to mirth, and stretch forth thy hand in a quarrel, thou wilt be dishonoured." Insensate mirth and a quarrelsome disposition alike lead to disgrace. St. Gregory ('Moral.,' 30:10) applies the Vulgate rendering to antichrist, "For he in truth will be lifted up on high, when he will feign that he is God. But he will appear a fool when lifted up on high, because he will fail in his very loftiness through the coming of the true Judge. But if he had understood this, he would have laid his hand on his mouth; that is, if he had foreseen his punishment, when he began to be proud, having been once fashioned aright, he would not have been raised up to the boastfulness of such great pride" (Oxford transl.).
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew Ifאִם־(’im-)Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notyou have foolishlyנָבַ֥לְתָּ(nā·ḇal·tā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 5034:To wilt, to fall away, fail, faint, to be foolish, wicked, to despise, disgraceexalted yourselfבְהִתְנַשֵּׂ֑א(ḇə·hiṯ·naś·śê)Preposition-b | Verb - Hitpael - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5375:To lift, carry, takeor ifוְאִם־(wə·’im-)Conjunctive waw | Conjunction
Strong's 518:Lo!, whether?, if, although, Oh that!, when, notyou have plotted evil,זַ֝מּ֗וֹתָ(zam·mō·w·ṯā)Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 2161:To consider, purpose, deviseput your handיָ֣ד(yāḏ)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 3027:A handover your mouth.לְפֶֽה׃(lə·p̄eh)Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6310:The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to
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OT Poetry: Proverbs 30:32 If you have done foolishly in lifting (Prov. Pro Pr) |
