King James Version

Proverbs 17:7

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

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Hebrew

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לֹאlono , -r,לֹאparticle, negative — “no , -r,”H3808not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles[idiom] before, [phrase] or else, ere, [phrase] except, ig(-norant), much, less, nay, neither, never, no((-ne), -r, (-thing)), ([idiom] as though...,(can-), for) not (out of), of nought, otherwise, out of, [phrase] surely, [phrase] as trul…נָאוָ֣הnavahbecomethנָאוֶהadjective, adjective, feminine, singular, absolute — “becometh”, the ordinary formH5000suitable, or beautifulbecometh, comely, seemly.לְנָבָ֣לlenavalto foolנָבָלpreposition, adjective, adjective, masculine, singular, absolute — “to fool”, the ordinary formH5036stupid; wicked (especially impious)fool(-ish, -ish man, -ish woman), vile person.שְׂפַתsefatlanguageשָׂפָהnoun, common, feminine, singular, construct — “language”, the of-form, joined to the next wordH8193the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.יֶ֑תֶרyetercordיֶתֶרnoun, common, masculine, singular, absolute — “cord”, the ordinary formH3499properly, an overhanging, i.e. (by implication) an excess, superiority, remainder; also a small rope (as hanging free)[phrase] abundant, cord, exceeding, excellancy(-ent), what they leave, that hath left, plentifully, remnant, residue, rest, string, with.אַ֝֗ףafalsoאַףparticle, affirmation — “also”H637meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively thoughalso, [phrase] although, and (furthermore, yet), but, even, [phrase] how much less (more, rather than), moreover, with, yea.כִּֽיkiassuredכִּיconjunction — “assured”H3588(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexedand, + (forasmuch, inasmuch, where-) as, assured(-ly), + but, certainly, doubtless, + else, even, + except, for, how, (because, in, so, than) that, + nevertheless, now, rightly, seeing, since, surely, then, therefore, + (al-) though, + til…לְנָדִ֥יבlenadivto freeנָדִיבpreposition, adjective, adjective, masculine, singular, absolute — “to free”, the ordinary formH5081properly, voluntary, i.e. generous; hence, magnanimous; as noun, a grandee (sometimes a tyrant)free, liberal (things), noble, prince, willing (hearted).שְׂפַתsefatlanguageשָׂפָהnoun, common, feminine, singular, construct — “language”, the of-form, joined to the next wordH8193the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.)band, bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip, prating, (sea-)shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.שָֽׁקֶרshaqerwithout a causeשֶׁקֶרnoun, common, masculine, singular, absolute — “without a cause”, the ordinary formH8267an untruth; by implication, a sham (often adverbial)without a cause, deceit(-ful), false(-hood, -ly), feignedly, liar, [phrase] lie, lying, vain (thing), wrongfully.

Jewish translation (JPS 1917)

Overbearing speech becometh not a churl; much less do lying lips a prince.

Compare Public-Domain Translations

The King James Version remains the text of this page and the canonical URL.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Young’s Literal Translation

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

World English Bible

Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool, much less do lying lips fit a prince.

Darby Translation

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

Douay-Rheims

Eloquent words do not become a fool, nor lying lips a prince.

Jewish Publication Society (1917)

Overbearing speech becometh not a churl; much less do lying lips a prince.

Brenton’s Septuagint (1851), English

Faithful lips will not suit a fool; nor lying lips a just man.

Septuagint (Brenton’s Greek, 1851)

Οὐχ ἁρμόσει ἄφρονι χείλη πιστὰ, οὐδὲ δικαίῳ χείλη ψευδῆ.