Proverbs 16:21–22
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.