Proverbs 16:20–24
20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,a x
and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.y
21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
and gracious words promote instruction.b z
22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,a
but folly brings punishment to fools.
23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,b
and their lips promote instruction.c c
24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,d
sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.e
Proverbs 16:20–24 — English Standard Version (ESV)
20 Whoever gives thought to the word will discover good,
and blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
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.
23 The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious
and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.
Proverbs 16:20–24 — King James Version (KJV 1900)
20 He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good:
And whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.
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.
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.
Proverbs 16:20–24 — New Living Translation (NLT)
20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper;
those who trust the Lord will be joyful.
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.
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.
Proverbs 16:20–24 — The New King James Version (NKJV)
20 He who heeds the word wisely will find good,
And whoever trusts in the Lord, happy is he.
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.
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.
Proverbs 16:20–24 — New Century Version (NCV)
20 Whoever listens to what is taught will succeed,
and whoever trusts the Lord will be happy.
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.
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.
Proverbs 16:20–24 — American Standard Version (ASV)
20 He that giveth heed unto the word shall find good;
And whoso trusteth in Jehovah, happy is he.
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.
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.
Proverbs 16:20–24 — 1890 Darby Bible (DARBY)
20 He that giveth heed to the word shall find good; and whoso confideth in Jehovah, happy is he.
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.
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.
Proverbs 16:20–24 — GOD’S WORD Translation (GW)
20 Whoever gives attention to the Lord’s word prospers,
and blessed is the person who trusts the Lord.
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.
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.
Proverbs 16:20–24 — The Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
20 The one who understands a matter finds success,
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.
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.
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.
Proverbs 16:20–24 — The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
20 Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,
and happy are those who trust in the Lord.
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.
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.
Proverbs 16:20–24 — The Lexham English Bible (LEB)
20 He who is attentive to a matter will find goodness,
and he who trusts in Yahweh, his own happiness.
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.
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.
Proverbs 16:20–24 — New International Reader’s Version (1998) (NIrV)
20 If anyone pays attention to what he is taught, he will succeed.
Blessed is the person who puts his trust in the Lord.
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.
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.
Proverbs 16:20–24 — New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (NASB95)
20 He who gives attention to the word will find good,
And blessed is he who trusts in the Lord.
21 The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it,
But the discipline of fools is folly.
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.