Proverbs 16:21
19 Better it is to be of an humble spirit with the lowly, than to divide the spoil with the proud.
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the LORD, happy is he.
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
- KJV
- The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
- WEB
- The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
- ASV
- The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
- DARBY
- The wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
- BLB
- The one wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of lips increases learning.
- ÅB
- Den som er vis i hjertet, blir kalt forstandig, og leppers sødme fremmer lærdom.
- OTB
- De vise i hjertet kalles kloke, og vennlighet i tale øker overtalelsesevnen.
- B1930
- Den som er vis i hjertet, blir kalt forstandig, og lebers sødme fremmer lærdom.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 16:23–24
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
Read in contextIsaiah 50:4
The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.
Read in contextProverbs 15:7
The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
Read in contextProverbs 27:9
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
Read in contextJames 3:17
But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
Read in contextLuke 4:22
And all bare him witness, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth. And they said, Is not this Joseph’s son?
Read in contextJohn 7:46
The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
Read in contextProverbs 10:8
The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
Read in context