Proverbs 18:21 nasb — Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

NASB

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit."

— Proverbs 18:21, NASB

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Proverbs 18:21 in Other Translations

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Proverbs 18 — Context

18

The cast lot puts an end to strife And decides between the mighty ones.

19

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city, And contentions are like the bars of a citadel.

20

With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.

21

Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.

22

He who finds a wife finds a good thing And obtains favor from the LORD.

23

The poor man utters supplications, But the rich man answers roughly.

24

A man of too many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 18:21 — Frequently Asked Questions

7 questions
What does Proverbs 18:21 say?
Proverbs 18:21 in the NASB reads: “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Where is Proverbs 18:21 in the Bible?
Proverbs 18:21 is found in the Old Testament, in the book of Proverbs, chapter 18, verse 21.
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 18:21.
What translation should I read Proverbs 18:21 in?
Proverbs 18:21 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 18:21?
Proverbs 18:21 reads (NASB): “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” 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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