Proverbs 16:22
20 Whoever heeds instruction will find success, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD.
21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
23 The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.
Compare
- BSB
- Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly.
- KJV
- Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
- WEB
- Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, but the punishment of fools is their folly.
- ASV
- Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is [their] folly.
- DARBY
- Wisdom is a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly.
- BLB
- A fountain of life [is] understanding to its owners, and the discipline of fools [is] folly.
- ÅB
- Klokskap er en livsens kilde for dem som eier den, men dårers straff er deres egen dårskap.
- OTB
- Forståelse er en livets kilde for dem som har den, men dårskapens dårskap bringer straff.
- B1930
- Klokskap er en livsens kilde for dem som eier den, men dårers straff er deres egen dårskap.
Study notes (Tyndale)
Original text and word study
Cross references
Proverbs 13:14
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning one from the snares of death.
Read in contextJohn 6:63
The Spirit gives life; the flesh profits nothing. The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life.
Read in contextMatthew 15:14
Disregard them! They are blind guides. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a pit.”
Read in contextJohn 5:24
Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever hears My word and believes Him who sent Me has eternal life and will not come under judgment. Indeed, he has crossed over from death to life.
Read in contextProverbs 18:4
The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook.
Read in contextProverbs 10:11
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Read in contextJohn 6:68
Simon Peter replied, “Lord, to whom would we go? You have the words of eternal life.
Read in contextProverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.
Read in context