Proverbs 16:23–26

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,

and their lips promote instruction.

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,

sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way that appears to be right,

but in the end it leads to death.

26 The appetite of laborers works for them;

their hunger drives them on.

23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth,

And addeth learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are as an honeycomb,

Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man,

But the end thereof are the ways of death.

26 He that laboureth laboureth for himself;

For his mouth craveth it of him.

23 From a wise mind comes wise speech;

the words of the wise are persuasive.

24 Kind words are like honey—

sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

25 There is a path before each person that seems right,

but it ends in death.

26 It is good for workers to have an appetite;

an empty stomach drives them on.

23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth,

And adds learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death.

26 The person who labors, labors for himself,

For his hungry mouth drives him on.

23 Wise people’s minds tell them what to say,

and that helps them be better teachers.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

making people happy and healthy.

25 Some people think they are doing right,

but in the end it leads to death.

26 The workers’ hunger helps them,

because their desire to eat makes them work.

23 The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth,

And addeth learning to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb,

Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

25 There is a way which seemeth right unto a man,

But the end thereof are the ways of death.

26 The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him;

For his mouth urgeth him thereto.

23 The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips increaseth learning.

24 Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health for the bones.

25 There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is the ways of death.

26 The appetite of the labourer laboureth for him, for his mouth urgeth him on.

23 A wise person’s heart controls his speech, 

and what he says helps others learn. 

24 Pleasant words are ⸤like⸥ honey from a honeycomb— 

sweet to the spirit and healthy for the body. 

25 There is a way that seems right to a person, 

but eventually it ends in death. 

26 A laborer’s appetite works to his advantage, 

because his hunger drives him on. 

23 A wise heart instructs its mouth

and increases learning with its speech.

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:

sweet to the taste and health to the body.

25 There is a way that seems right to a man,

but its end is the way to death.

26 A worker’s appetite works for him

because his hunger urges him on.

23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious

and adds persuasiveness to their lips.

24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

25 Sometimes there is a way that seems to be right,

but in the end it is the way to death.

26 The appetite of workers works for them;

their hunger urges them on.

23 The heart of the wise will make his mouth judicious,

and upon his lips, it will add persuasiveness.

24 Pleasant sayings are a honeycomb,

sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way that seems upright to a man,

but its end is the way of death.

26 The life of a worker works for him,

for his hunger urges him.

23 The hearts of wise people guide their mouths.

Their words make people want to learn more.

24 Pleasant words are like honey.

They are sweet to the spirit and bring healing to the body.

25 There is a way that may seem right to a man.

But in the end it leads to death.

26 The hunger of a worker makes him work.

His hunger drives him on.

23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth

And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,

Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

25 There is a way which seems right to a man,

But its end is the way of death.

26 A worker’s appetite works for him,

For his hunger urges him on.