Psalms 55:21 — Compare Translations
28 translations compared side by side
English (YLT) 1898 Young's Literal Translation by Robert Young
Sweeter than honey hath been his mouth, And his heart [is] war! Softer have been his words than oil, And they [are] drawn [swords].
English ASV
His mouth was smooth as butter, But his heart was war: His words were softer than oil, Yet were they drawn swords.
English Amplified
The words of his mouth were smoother than cream or butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
English Amplified Classic Bible 1987
The words of his mouth were smoother than cream or butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
English Berean Standard Bible (BSB) 2025
His speech is smooth as butter, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, yet they are swords unsheathed.
English CSB 2017 - Christian Standard Bible
His buttery words are smooth, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, but they are drawn swords.
English Darby 1890 : Public Domain
Smooth were the milky [words] of his mouth, but his heart was war; his words were softer than oil, yet are they drawn swords.
English EASY 2024
He speaks a message of peace, but he is really thinking about war. His words are easy to listen to, but they hurt like sharp knives.
English ERV 2006 - Only For Website
His words about peace are as smooth as butter, but he has only war on his mind. His words are as slick as oil, but they cut like a knife.
English ESV 2016 == The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles
His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
English GNT (Good News Translation)
His words were smoother than cream, but there was hatred in his heart; his words were as soothing as oil, but they cut like sharp swords.
English God's Word - GW 1995
His speech is smoother than butter, but there is war in his heart. His words are more soothing than oil, but they are like swords ready to attack.
English HCSB 2004 - Copyrighted Only For Website
His buttery words are smooth, but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, but they are drawn swords.
English KJV 1611
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
English LSB
His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
English MEV 2014 (Modern English Version)
His speech was smoother than butter, but war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
English NASB (New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995)
His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
English NASU 1989 - New American Standard Update - Only for Website
They strike out at friends and go back on their promises.
English NET Bible - 2005 (New English Translation)
His words are as smooth as butter, but he harbors animosity in his heart. His words seem softer than oil, but they are really like sharp swords.
English NIRV 1996 - Copyrighted only for Website
His talk is as smooth as butter. But he has war in his heart. His words flow like olive oil. But they are like swords ready for battle.
English NIV
His speech is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.
English NKJ 1982
The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, But war was in his heart; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.
English NLT
His words are as smooth as cream, but in his heart is war. His words are as soothing as lotion, but underneath are daggers!
English NRSV 1989 - Only for website
with speech smoother than butter, but with a heart set on war; with words that were softer than oil, but in fact were drawn swords.
English Passion Translation Bible 2020
His words were smooth and charming. Yet his heart was disloyal and full of hatred— his words soft as silk while all the time scheming my demise.
English RSV (Revised Standard Version)
His speech was smoother than butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords.
English TL (The Living Bible) (1971)
His words were oily smooth, but in his heart was war. His words were sweet, but underneath were daggers.
English Tyndale 1537
Their mouths are softer than butter, and yet have they battle in their mind: their words are smoother than oil, and yet be they very swords.