Speaking recklessly ¹  is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words ²  of the wise bring ³  healing. ⁴ 

biblegateway Pro 12:18

There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.

There is one who speaks rashly, like a piercing sword; but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing.

biblegateway Pro 12:18

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

bibleoremus Pro 12:18

Rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Gossip is sharp as a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

biblegateway Pro 12:18

There is one who speaks like the piercings of a sword, But the tongue of the wise promotes health.

There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health.

biblegateway Pro 12:18

Speaking recklessly ¹  is like the thrusts of a sword, but the words ²  of the wise bring ³  healing. ⁴ 

¹ tn The term בּוֹטֶה (boteh) means “to speak rashly [or, thoughtlessly]” (e.g., Lev 5:4; Num 30:7).

² tn Heb “the tongue” (so NAB, NIV, NRSV). The term לָשׁוֹן (lashon, “tongue”) functions as a metonymy of cause for what is said.

³ tn The term “brings” does not appear in the Hebrew but is supplied in the translation for the sake of clarity and smoothness.

⁴ sn Healing is a metonymy of effect. Healing words are the opposite of the cutting, irresponsible words. What the wise say is faithful and true, gentle and kind, uplifting and encouraging; so their words bring healing.