The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.
Parallel translations
- KJV The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
- BSB The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.
- ESV The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
- 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 quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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 instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
- Prov 15:7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; not so with the heart of fools.
- Isa 50:4The Lord Yahweh has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with words him who is weary. He wakens morning by morning, he wakens my ear to hear as those who are taught.
- Prov 27:9Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart; so does earnest counsel from a man’s friend.
- Jas 3:17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
- John 7:46The officers answered, “No man ever spoke like this man!”
- Luke 4:22All testified about him, and wondered at the gracious words which proceeded out of his mouth, and they said, “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
- Prov 10:8The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall.
- Ps 45:2You are the most excellent of the sons of men. Grace has anointed your lips, therefore God has blessed you forever.
- Eccl 12:10The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words, and that which was written blamelessly, words of truth.
- 1 Kgs 3:12behold, I have done according to your word. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart; so that there has been no one like you before you, and after you none will arise like you.
- Prov 23:15My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad, even mine:
- Rom 16:19For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is 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
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.