Chapter
Verse

Proverbs 5:2

ESV that you may keep discretion, and your lips may guard knowledge.
NIV that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.
NASB So that you may maintain discretion And your lips may comply with knowledge.
CSB so that you may maintain discretion and your lips safeguard knowledge.
NLT Then you will show discernment, and your lips will express what you’ve learned.
KJV That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
NKJV That you may preserve discretion, And your lips may keep knowledge.

What does Proverbs 5:2 mean?

Solomon affirms that his son will derive discretion and knowledgeable speech if he pays attention to his counsel. The purpose of Solomon's wise teaching is not simply to infuse facts into his son's head, but to give him the tools to wisely do what is right and avoid what is wrong. Wisdom, in fact, is a term Proverbs uses for an ability to act according to godly principles.

Also, Solomon wants his son to know how to speak wisely. If we obey the teaching of Scripture, we will not walk in the way of sinners (Psalm 1:1–2). In this context, "sinners" are those who are influenced by evil and walk according to the course of this evil world system (Ephesians 2:2). Furthermore, those who are wise will not use evil words such as profanity, gossip, foolishness, and lying (Ephesians 5:4). Instead, we will speak words that edify (Ephesians 4:29; 5:19) and words that ascribe thanks to God (Ephesians 5:20). Colossians 4:6 admonishes, "Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person." If we feed on evil thoughts, we will do what is evil, but if we feed on the wisdom of Scripture, we will do what is pleasing to the Lord.
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