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Key Verse Spotlight

Proverbs 12:17 - Meaning and Application

Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today

Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition

" He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies. "

Proverbs 12:17

menu_book Verse in Context

15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who is wise listens to counsel.

16 A fool shows his annoyance the same day, but one who overlooks an insult is prudent.

17 He who is truthful testifies honestly, but a false witness lies.

18 There is one who speaks rashly like the piercing of a sword, but the tongue of the wise heals.

19 Truth’s lips will be established forever, but a lying tongue is only momentary.

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Here is, first, a faithful witness praised as an honest person. Anyone who carefully tells the truth and presents things fairly, as far as he knows, shows righteousness. This is true whether he is speaking in court or in daily conversation, and whether he is under oath or not. He makes it clear that he is guided by right principles and by the rule of justice. He also supports justice by honoring it and helping it work well.

Second, a false witness is condemned as a cheat. He shows deceit, and in doing so he shows how little concern he has for fooling the people he deals with. He even shows how much he enjoys it, as one who is under the power of a lying spirit (Jeremiah 9:3-5). We should all fear and hate the sin of lying (Psalm 119:163), and we should have a steady heart for honesty.

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Related Verses

Proverbs 14:5

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"A truthful witness will not lie, but a false witness pours out lies."

Speaks to the same theme

Proverbs 14:25

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"A truthful witness saves souls, but a false witness is deceitful."

Speaks to the same theme

Sirach 5:14

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"Don’t be called a whisperer. Don’t lie in wait with your tongue; for shame is on the thief, and an evil condemnation is on him who has a double tongue."

Speaks to the same theme

Psalms 15:2

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"He who walks blamelessly and does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart;"

Speaks to the same theme

Sirach 34:8

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"Without lying the law will be fulfilled. Wisdom is complete in a faithful mouth."

Speaks to the same theme

John 19:35

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"He who has seen has testified, and his testimony is true. He knows that he tells the truth, that you may believe."

Speaks to the same theme

Related verses from Bible Guided Semantic Search

From This Chapter

Proverbs 12:1

"Whoever loves correction loves knowledge, but he who hates reproof is stupid."

Proverbs 12:2

"A good man shall obtain favor from the LORD, but he will condemn a man of wicked plans."

Proverbs 12:3

"A man shall not be established by wickedness, but the root of the righteous shall not be moved."

Proverbs 12:4

"A worthy woman is the crown of her husband, but a disgraceful wife is as rottenness in his bones."

Proverbs 12:5

"The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the advice of the wicked is deceitful."

Proverbs 12:6

"The words of the wicked are about lying in wait for blood, but the speech of the upright rescues them."

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