Proverbs 10:20 bbe — The tongue of the upright man is like tested silver: the heart of the evil-doer is of little value.

Bible in Basic English

"The tongue of the upright man is like tested silver: the heart of the evil-doer is of little value."

— Proverbs 10:20, Bible in Basic English

Read in Another Translation

5 of 21 translations

Proverbs 10 — Context

17

He who takes note of teaching is a way of life, but he who gives up training is a cause of error.

18

Hate is covered up by the lips of the upright man, but he who lets out evil about another is foolish.

19

Where there is much talk there will be no end to sin, but he who keeps his mouth shut does wisely.

20

The tongue of the upright man is like tested silver: the heart of the evil-doer is of little value.

21

The lips of the upright man give food to men, but the foolish come to death for need of sense.

22

The blessing of the Lord gives wealth: hard work makes it no greater.

23

It is sport to the foolish man to do evil, but the man of good sense takes delight in wisdom.

Proverbs 10:20 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 10:20 say?
Proverbs 10:20 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “The tongue of the upright man is like tested silver: the heart of the evil-doer is of little value.”
Where is Proverbs 10:20 in the Bible?
Proverbs 10:20 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 10, verse 20.
Who wrote Proverbs?
Proverbs is traditionally attributed to Solomon (primarily), with sections by Agur and Lemuel. It was written c. 970–700 BC.
What is the book of Proverbs about?
Proverbs is practical wisdom for everyday life — short, vivid sayings on speech, work, money, friendship, sex, parenting, and the fear of the LORD. It teaches that wisdom is not mere cleverness but a way of walking with God in a complicated world.
What are the major themes of Proverbs?
Proverbs explores themes including Wisdom, Folly, Fear of the LORD, Discipline, Speech, Diligence. These themes shape the meaning and context of Proverbs 10:20.
What translation should I read Proverbs 10:20 in?
Proverbs 10:20 is available on GodsGoodBook in the King James Version (KJV), American Standard Version (ASV), World English Bible (WEB), NET Bible, Young's Literal Translation, Darby Bible, Douay-Rheims Bible, and the Bible in Basic English. Each translation reflects different translation philosophies — use the translation picker on this page to compare them, or browse our full translations directory.
How can I memorize Proverbs 10:20?
Proverbs 10:20 reads (BBE): “The tongue of the upright man is like tested silver: the heart of the evil-doer is of little value.” Read it aloud, break it into short phrases, repeat each phrase three times before adding the next, then put the phrases together. Reading it in multiple translations (above) often helps the meaning settle.
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