Proverbs 17:7 — Compare All Translations

English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young

Not comely for a fool is a lip of excellency, Much less for a noble a lip of falsehood.

English ASV

Excellent speech becometh not a fool; Much less do lying lips a prince.

English Amplified

Fine or arrogant speech does not befit [an empty-headed] fool--much less do lying lips befit a prince.

English Amplified Classic Bible 1987

Fine or arrogant speech does not befit [an empty-headed] fool–much less do lying lips befit a prince.

English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025

Eloquent words are unfit for a fool; how much worse are lying lips to a ruler!

English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible

Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips; how much worse are lies for a ruler.

English Darby 1890 : Public Domain

Excellent speech becometh not a vile [man]; how much less do lying lips a noble!

English EASY 2024

It does not seem right when a fool says clever things. It is certainly not right when a ruler tells lies.

English ERV 2006 - Only For Website

You wouldn't expect to hear a fine speech from a fool, and you shouldn't expect lies from a ruler.

Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.

English GNT (Good News Translation)

Respected people do not tell lies, and fools have nothing worthwhile to say.

English God's Word - GW 1995

Refined speech is not fitting for a godless fool. How much less does lying fit a noble person!

English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website

Excessive speech is not appropriate on a fool's lips; how much worse are lies for a ruler.

English KJV 1611

Excellent speech becometh not a fool: much less do lying lips a prince.

English LSB

Excellent lips are not fitting for a wicked fool, Even less are lying lips for a noble man.

English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)

Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)

Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, Much less are lying lips to a prince.

English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website

Fine words are out of place in a fool; how much more, lying words in a noble!

English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)

Excessive speech is not becoming for a fool; how much less are lies for a ruler!

English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website

It isn't proper for foolish people to brag. And it certainly isn't proper for rulers to tell lies!

English NIV

Arrogant lips are unsuited to a fool- how much worse lying lips to a ruler!

English NKJ 1982

Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool, Much less lying lips to a prince.

English NLT

Eloquent speech is not fitting for a fool; even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

English NRSV 1989 - Only for website

Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a ruler.

English Passion Translation Bible 2020

It is not proper for a leader to lie and deceive, and don’t expect excellent words to be spoken by a fool.

English RSV (Revised Standard Version)

Fine speech is not becoming to a fool; still less is false speech to a prince.

English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)

Truth from a rebel or lies from a king are both unexpected.

English Tyndale 1537

An eloquent speech becometh not a fool, a dissembling mouth also becometh not a prince.

Proverbs 17:7 — Compare Translations