The sense of this verse is: bad talk hurts, gentle words heal.

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts”: “There is” is the translation of an expression that notes the existence of something or someone. In some languages this need not be translated; in others there are natural expressions that have this same function. In English, for instance, people say “There are people who. . .” or “Some people. . ..” Line 2 shows that what is said in line 1 most likely refers to the wicked, the fool, or the unwise person. We may also speak generally by saying, for example, “Rash words are like. . ..” “Rash words” renders a form that refers to words that are spoken too quickly and without adequate thought. These hasty words are compared with “sword thrusts”, which are quick jabs made with a sword. As suggested in line 2 by the use of the word “healing”, the “thrusts” in line 1 cause wounds and injury, if only figuratively.

In languages where “swords” are not known, it may be necessary to substitute another sharp instrument such as a spear, knife, or bayonet, if the simile is kept.

“But the tongue of the wise brings healing”: “The tongue” is used here not in a literal sense but as an image of speech. A translation should not allow people to think that the wounds caused in line 1 are healed by licking. We may say, for example, “the words spoken by the wise,” “words of wisdom,” or “what wise people say.” The verb “brings” is supplied by Revised Standard Version. “Healing” is the mental, physical, or spiritual process of restoring someone to health or to a sound state. “Brings healing” can be also expressed as “makes a person well” or “helps people like good medicine.”

We may translate the verse, for example: “Words spoken too hastily can wound a person as a sword does, but healing comes from words spoken by a wise person.”

Quoted with permission from Reyburn, William D. and Fry, Euan McG. A Handbook on Proverbs. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .