Proverbs 15:4
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
American King James Version (AKJV)
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.
American Standard Version (ASV)
A gentle tongue is a tree of life; But perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
Basic English Translation (BBE)
A comforting tongue is a tree of life, but a twisted tongue is a crushing of the spirit.
Webster's Revision
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness in it is a breach in the spirit.
World English Bible
A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but deceit in it crushes the spirit.
English Revised Version (ERV)
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breaking of the spirit.
Clarke's Proverbs 15:4 Bible Commentary
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life - Here again is an allusion to the paradisiacal tree, עץ חיים ets chaiyim, "the tree of lives."
Barnes's Proverbs 15:4 Bible Commentary
A wholesome tongue - literally, as in the margin, the same word as "sound" in Proverbs 14:30 (see the note). A more literal rendering would be soundness of speech.
Tree of life - Compare Proverbs 3:18 note.
Breach in the spirit - With the sense of vexation (compare Isaiah 65:14).
Wesley's Proverbs 15:4 Bible Commentary
15:4 Wholesome - Which utters sound and useful counsels. Tree of life - Is greatly useful to preserve the present life, and to promote the spiritual and eternal life, both of the speaker and hearers.Perverseness - False or corrupt speeches. A breach - Disturbs and wounds the spirits, both of the speaker and hearers.