Key Verse Spotlight
Proverbs 20:15 - 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
" There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel. "
Proverbs 20:15
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
13 Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 “It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
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Words guided by knowledge, a good mind behind the tongue and skill in speaking clearly, are worth far more than gold, pearls, or rubies. They are better, first, because they are much rarer. Many people have gold in their pockets but no grace in their hearts. In Solomon’s day, there was plenty of gold (1 Kings 10:21) and many rubies, and people could buy them anywhere. But wisdom is a rare and precious jewel. Few people have it in a way that helps others, and no merchant can sell it to you.
They are better, too, because they make us truly richer and more beautiful. They make us rich toward God, rich in good works (1 Timothy 2:9, 10). Most people love gold, and one or two rubies are not enough for them, they want a whole collection of jewels. But the person who has knowledge in the lips looks down on such things, because he knows and already has something better.
From This Chapter
Proverbs 20:1
"Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise."
Proverbs 20:2
"The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life."
Proverbs 20:3
"It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling."
Proverbs 20:4
"The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing."
Proverbs 20:5
"Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out."
Proverbs 20:6
"Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?"
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