Proverbs 16:21

Proverbs 16:21 in other versions

• King James Version (KJV)The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
• New International Version (NIV)The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.
• English Standard Version (ESV)The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.
• New King James Version (NKJV)The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

Context of Proverbs 16:21

19You may be humble and have poor people as your friends. But that is better than if you have proud friends who give you things that they have robbed from others. 20If you listen carefully to good teaching, you will do well. If you trust in the Lord, you are in a happy place. If you have wise thoughts, people will say that you know what is right. If you speak kind words, people will accept your teaching. 22Wisdom is like a spring of fresh water that gives life to those who have it. But the silly things that fools do brings them punishment. 23Wise people think carefully and they speak wise words. Then other people will accept their teaching.

Proverbs 16:21 word by word

לַחֲכַם־לֵ֭ב יִקָּרֵ֣א נָב֑וֹן וּמֶ֥תֶק שְׂ֝פָתַ֗יִם יֹסִ֥יף לֶֽקַח׃Read the interlinear

Words taken from the KJV.

• The wiseחָכָםchâkâm · wiseH2450
• in heartלֵבlêb · heartH3820
• shall be calledקָרָאqârâ' · to call: call toH7121
• prudentבִּיןbîyn · to understandH995
• and the sweetnessמֶ֫תֶקmetheq · sweetnessH4986
• of the lipsשָׂפָהώâphâh ώepheth · lip: wordsH8193
• increasethיָסַףyâsaph · to addH3254
• learningלֶ֫קַחleqach · teachingH3948

Cross-references for Proverbs 16:21

• Proverbs 16:23Wise people think carefully and they speak wise words. Then other people will accept their teaching.
• Proverbs 10:8Wise people accept good teaching. But people who talk in a foolish way destroy themselves.
• Proverbs 23:1513. My child, if you become wise, I will be happy.
• Romans 16:19Everyone knows that you obey God well. So I am very happy because of you. But I want you to understand clearly what things are good. And I want you to stay away from the things that are bad.
• James 3:17But if God makes you really wise, you will live in a completely good way. That is the most important thing. Also, you will live in a way that brings peace. You will be kind to other people so that they become your friends. You will listen to them and not argue. You will forgive them and do many good things to help them. You will not choose between people. And you will not be a hypocrite.
• Proverbs 16:24Kind words are as sweet as honey. They also bring health and strength.
• Proverbs 15:7When wise people speak, they give knowledge, but the minds of fools have nothing to give.
• Proverbs 27:9Beautiful oil and perfume may give you joy. But good advice from a friend is even better.
• Psalms 45:2You are the most handsome man that there is. You speak kind words in a beautiful way. And so God will continue to bless you for ever.
• Ecclesiastes 12:10The Teacher tried to find the right words, so that he could show the true meaning of what he wrote.
• Isaiah 50:4‘The Almighty Lord has given his message to me, his servant. I speak it on his behalf. I know what to say to help weak and tired people. The Lord wakes me up every morning so that I can learn something. I listen carefully to him, as a student listens to his teacher.
• Luke 4:22Everyone was talking about Jesus. They were surprised at the good way in which he spoke. They said to each other, ‘We know that he is only Joseph's son.’
• John 7:46The officers answered, ‘Nobody has ever spoken great things like this man speaks.’

Commentaries on Proverbs 16:21

• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible · v. 21The words point to the conditions of all true growth in wisdom; and he who has the gift of uttering it in winning speech increases it in himself and others.Read the comment
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary · v. 21Verse 21 The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents.Read the comment
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary · v. 2121. wise in heart--who rightly consider duty. sweetness of the lips--eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.Read the comment

Topics related to Proverbs 16:21

• Character
• Prudence
• Speaking
• Wisdom

In the dictionaries

• Chief
• Divine
• Haughty
• Lot
• Pride
• Whisperer
• Wisely
• Increase
• Proverb
• Proverbs, the Book of

Commentaries on Proverbs 16

• Adam Clarke Bible Commentary
• Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
• Matthew Henry Concise Commentary
• Tyndale Open Study Notes
• Jamieson–Fausset–Brown Commentary
• Rashi on Tanakh
• Keil & Delitzsch Commentary
• John Wesley’s Notes
• Darby Translation Notes
• Geneva Bible Translation Notes
• Kingcomments
• Matthew Henry’s Complete Commentary
• Matthew Henry’s Modern English Commentary
• Scofield Reference Notes, 1917 Edition
• Original Douay–Rheims Annotations
• Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary
• EGW Writings