Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
but a false witness utters deceit.
There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Truthful lips endure for ever,
but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
but those who plan peace have joy.
No ill befalls the righteous,
but the wicked are filled with trouble.
Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
but those who act faithfully are his delight.Proverbs 12:17-22
More about words: the second clause in 17 makes the subject matter of the verse clear: it is the truthful man who can be relied on to give honest evidence. In 18, 'speaketh' has the force of 'blurted out' (cf Psalm 106:33), and the reference is to the immense harm that such rashness of speech can do. The man who boasts of always 'speaking his mind' can be an incalculable hazard in this connection. He is dangerous, and has some very urgent lessons to learn in life. The RSV rendering of the second part of the verse, 'the tongue of the wise brings healing', is graphic and helpful, and Moffatt's translation is even more so, 'there is healing power in thoughtful words'. Fortunate the company that has in its midst someone who can thus bring healing into a situation ravaged by a thoughtless tongue. In 19, the idea of judgment is in view; the lying tongue will be the object of divine dealing. But alas, the harm a lying tongue can do can last for years. It is because of its potential for evil that God deals with it. A New Testament commentary on 20b is found in the beatitude, 'Blessed are the peacemakers'. To promote the good of others out of goodness of heart will always bring blessing to those who do so. 21 should be taken in the sense of Romans 8:28, 'all things work together for good to those that love God'. It does not mean that no distress can ever come upon the righteous, but rather that the over-ruling providence of God turns all that comes to good for the believer.