Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.
Parallel translations
- WEB Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.
- BSB Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.
- NKJV Every prudent man acts with knowledge, But a fool lays open his folly.
- NASB Every prudent person acts with knowledge, But a fool displays foolishness.
- NLT Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
The prudent act on knowledge, but fools put their folly on display. Wisdom shows itself in careful action.
Overview
A wise person weighs matters and acts deliberately from understanding, whereas the fool blurts out and exposes his foolishness for all to see. The contrast is between thoughtful self-governance and reckless self-exposure. Such prudence reflects the wisdom from above that is peaceable and considerate (James 3:17).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Prov 15:2The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.
- Prov 12:22–23Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
- Eph 5:17Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.
- Isa 52:13Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
- Eccl 10:3Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool.
- Rom 16:19For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.
- Ps 112:5A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
- 1 Sam 25:10–11And Nabal answered David’s servants, and said, Who is David? and who is the son of Jesse? there be many servants now a days that break away every man from his master.
- Prov 21:24Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.
- 1 Cor 14:20Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
- Matt 10:16Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.
- 1 Sam 25:25Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial, even Nabal: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send.
- 1 Sam 25:17Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Wisdom personified, with God before creation and the agent of all things, anticipates Christ 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom' — the wisdom of God made flesh.
How Proverbs 13:16 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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