Proverbs 13:3 bbe — He who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction.

Bible in Basic English

"He who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction."

— Proverbs 13:3, Bible in Basic English

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Proverbs 13 — Context

A wise son is a lover of teaching, but the ears of the haters of authority are shut to sharp words.

A man will get good from the fruit of his lips, but the desire of the false is for violent acts.

He who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction.

The hater of work does not get his desires, but the soul of the hard workers will be made fat.

The upright man is a hater of false words: the evil-doer gets a bad name and is put to shame.

Righteousness keeps safe him whose way is without error, but evil-doers are overturned by sin.

Proverbs 13:3 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions

What does Proverbs 13:3 say?

Proverbs 13:3 in the Bible in Basic English reads: “He who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction.”

Where is Proverbs 13:3 in the Bible?

Proverbs 13:3 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 13, verse 3.

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 13:3.

What translation should I read Proverbs 13:3 in?

Proverbs 13:3 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 13:3?

Proverbs 13:3 reads (BBE): “He who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction.” 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.

Proverbs 13:3 bbe — He who keeps a watch on his mouth keeps his life; but he whose lips are open wide will have destruction.

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Proverbs 13 — Context

Proverbs 13:3 — Frequently Asked Questions

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