Proverbs 12:19

The one who tells the truth ¹  will endure forever, but the one who lies ²  will last only for a moment. ³ 

Truthful lips endure for ever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

Truthful lips will be established forever, But a lying tongue is only for a moment.

Truth stands the test of time; lies are soon exposed.

Truth lasts; lies are here today, gone tomorrow.

True lips are certain for ever, but a false tongue is only for a minute.

Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

The truthful lip shall be established forever, But a lying tongue is but for a moment.

The one who tells the truth ¹  will endure forever, but the one who lies ²  will last only for a moment. ³ 

¹ tn Heb “a lip of truth.” The genitive אֱמֶת (’emet, “truth”) functions as an attributive adjective: “truthful lip.” The term שְׂפַת (sÿfat, “lip”) functions as a synecdoche of part (= lip) for the whole (= person): “truthful person.” The contrast is between “the lip of truth” and the “tongue of lying.”

² tn Heb “a tongue of deceit.” The genitive שָׁקֶר (shaqer, “deceit”) functions as an attributive genitive. The noun לָשׁוֹן (lashon, “tongue”) functions as a synecdoche of part (= tongue) for the whole (= person): “lying person.”

³ tn Heb “while I would twinkle.” This expression is an idiom meaning “only for a moment.” The twinkling of the eye, the slightest movement, signals the brevity of the life of a lie (hyperbole). But truth will be established (תִּכּוֹן, tikon), that is, be made firm and endure.