The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
Parallel translations
- WEB The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
- KJV The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
- NKJV The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.
- NASB The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
- NLT The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.
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 wise are recognized as discerning, and gracious speech increases their persuasiveness. It matters because both inner wisdom and pleasant words make teaching effective.
Overview
This proverb connects wisdom of heart with a reputation for discernment, and gracious speech with the spread of learning. How something is said affects how readily it is received. It commends winsome, kind communication as a vehicle for truth, a pattern seen in the gracious words of Christ (Luke 4:22).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 13
- Prov 16:23–24The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
- Prov 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the hearts of fools.
- Isa 50:4The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of discipleship, to sustain the weary with a word. He awakens Me morning by morning; He awakens My ear to listen as a disciple.
- Prov 27:9Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is counsel to the soul.
- Jas 3:17But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peace-loving, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere.
- John 7:46“Never has anyone spoken like this man!” the officers answered.
- Luke 4:22All spoke well of Him and marveled at the gracious words that came from His lips. “Isn’t this the son of Joseph?” they asked.
- Prov 10:8A wise heart will receive commandments, but foolish lips will come to ruin.
- Ps 45:2You are the most handsome of men; grace has anointed your lips, since God has blessed you forever.
- Eccl 12:10The Teacher searched to find delightful sayings and to record accurate words of truth.
- 1 Kgs 3:12behold, I will do what you have asked. I will give you a wise and discerning heart, so that there has never been nor will ever be another like you.
- Prov 23:15My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart will indeed rejoice.
- Rom 16:19Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.
Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.
Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.
Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.
The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).
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 16:21 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
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.