Proverbs 10:31-32 (ESV)
31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom. The Hebrew verb translated “brings forth” is nuv, meaning to produce, yield, or bear fruit. It was often used of fruitful growth or produce from the land. Solomon paints a picture of speech that is nourishing and life giving. The righteous woman’s words are not empty noise. They are like good fruit, sweet to receive and strengthening to the hearer. Because her heart has been transformed by God’s Spirit through God’s truth, her words reflect God’s wisdom. She speaks in ways that steady, guide, correct, and encourage others.
In contrast, the perverse tongue will be cut off. The Hebrew word translated “perverse” is tahpukah, describing what is twisted or deliberately opposed to what is right. This is speech that overturns what is good. It mocks righteousness and resists God’s design. Such words may sound clever for a season, but they are diseased fruit from a corrupt root. God will not allow rebellious speech to continue forever. Matthew 7:19 warns that every tree failing to bear good fruit is cut down. The ungodly tongue will one day be silenced.
Verse 32 says the lips of the righteous know what is acceptable. They have learned by experience that God’s ways are better than their own. They know when to speak, when to stay silent, when to comfort, and when to correct. Their words are weighed carefully because they desire to please God and help people. Wisdom is not merely saying true things. Wisdom is knowing the right thing to say at the right time.
But the mouth of the wicked speaks what is perverse. Their speech rejects God’s rule and promotes independence from him. Psalms 2:1-3 describes people raging against the Lord and wanting freedom from his authority. Psalms 2:4 shows God laughing at such rebellion. The wicked imagine they know better than God and seek to persuade others to reject his authority over their lives.
When pressure rises what sort of speech escapes your lips? Do your words steady the room, or do they darken it? Do they heal, or do they bruise? The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable. Wisdom teaches a woman to pause before speaking and ask, “Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it the right time?” Those who walk with God learn that words must fit the moment, whether gentle encouragement for a weary friend, careful communication to a child’s soul, gratitude toward a husband, or silence when anger burns hot. In a world swollen with noise and careless talk, be a woman whose speech feeds others, strengthens hearts, and pleases the Lord.