The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Parallel translations
- WEB The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
- BSB The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
- 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 teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
- Prov 15:7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.
- Isa 50:4The 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.
- Prov 27:9Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.
- Jas 3:17But 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.
- John 7:46The officers answered, Never man spake like this man.
- Luke 4:22And 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?
- Prov 10:8The wise in heart will receive commandments: but a prating fool shall fall.
- Ps 45:2Thou art fairer than the children of men: grace is poured into thy lips: therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
- Eccl 12:10The preacher sought to find out acceptable words: and that which was written was upright, even words of truth.
- 1 Kgs 3:12Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee.
- Prov 23:15My son, if thine heart be wise, my heart shall rejoice, even mine.
- 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.
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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
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