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Proverbs 16:21–22

21 The awise in heart will be called understanding,

And sweetness of 1speech bincreases 2persuasiveness.

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,

But the discipline of fools is folly.

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Proverbs 16:21–22 — The New International Version (NIV)

21 The wise in heart are called discerning,

and gracious words promote instruction.

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,

but folly brings punishment to fools.

Proverbs 16:21–22 — English Standard Version (ESV)

21 The wise of heart is called discerning,

and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

22 Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it,

but the instruction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:21–22 — King James Version (KJV 1900)

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent:

And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it:

But the instruction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:21–22 — New Living Translation (NLT)

21 The wise are known for their understanding,

and pleasant words are persuasive.

22 Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,

but discipline is wasted on fools.

Proverbs 16:21–22 — The New King James Version (NKJV)

21 The wise in heart will be called prudent,

And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

22 Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it.

But the correction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:21–22 — New Century Version (NCV)

21 The wise are known for their understanding.

Their pleasant words make them better teachers.

22 Understanding is like a fountain which gives life to those who use it,

but foolishness brings punishment to fools.

Proverbs 16:21–22 — American Standard Version (ASV)

21 The wise in heart shall be called prudent;

And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22 Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it;

But the correction of fools is their folly.

Proverbs 16:21–22 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)

21 The wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

22 Wisdom is a fountain of life for him that hath it; but the instruction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:21–22 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)

21 The person who is truly wise is called understanding, 

and speaking sweetly helps others learn. 

22 Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it, 

but stubborn fools punish themselves with their stupidity. 

Proverbs 16:21–22 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,

and pleasant speech increases learning.

22 Insight is a fountain of life for its possessor,

but the discipline of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:21–22 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

21 The wise of heart is called perceptive,

and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,

but folly is the punishment of fools.

Proverbs 16:21–22 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)

21 The wise of heart is called perceptive,

but he who is pleasant of lips will increase persuasiveness.

22 A fountain of life is wisdom for its owner,

but the instruction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:21–22 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)

21 Wise hearts are known for understanding what is right.

Pleasant words make people want to learn more.

22 Understanding is like a fountain of life to those who have it.

But foolish people are punished for the foolish things they do.


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