Pro 15:28 | NETfull | STEP | The heart of the righteous considers how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

Proverbs 15:28

28 The heart of the righteous considers ^{▼▼ The verb יֶהְגֶּה (yehgeh) means “to muse; to meditate; to consider; to study.” It also involves planning, such as with the wicked “planning” a vain thing (Ps 2:1, which is contrasted with the righteous who “meditate” in the law [1:2]).} how ^{▼▼ The word “how” is supplied in the translation for stylistic reasons.} to answer, ^{▼▼ The LXX reads: “the hearts of the righteous meditate faithfulness.”} ^{▼▼ The advice of the proverb is to say less but better things. The wise – here called the righteous – are cautious in how they respond to others. They think about it (heart = mind) before speaking.}
but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things. ^{▼▼ The form is plural. What they say (the “mouth” is a metonymy of cause) is any range of harmful things.}