Proverbs 16:21 · King James Version
Proverbs 16:21 in the Original Hebrew
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Proverbs 16:21 in Other Translations
| KJV | The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. |
|---|---|
| WEB | The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction. |
| ASV | The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. |
| YLT | To the wise in heart is called, ‘Intelligent,’ And sweetness of lips increaseth learning. |
| WBT | The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. |
| DBY | The wise in heart is called intelligent, and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. |
Commentary on Proverbs 16:21
Expositions from classic Bible commentators.
John Gill · Proverbs 16:21
The wise in heart shall be called prudent,.... He that has true wisdom in the inward part; who knows his heart and the haughtiness of it; who has the fear of God in it, which is the beginning of wisdom; who is wise unto salvation, not only knows the scheme of it, but is experimentally acquainted with it; who has not head knowledge and wisdom only, but heart knowledge and wisdom, and behaves wisely in his life and conversation; who is so wise and endued with knowledge, as, out of a good conversation, to show his works with meekness of wisdom; such a man is called, reckoned, accounted, and spoken well of, as a prudent man among all wise and knowing persons;
and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning; who, besides a wise heart and a knowing head, have the gift of elocution; can deliver themselves in a flowing easy style; can clothe their thoughts with proper words, and convey their ideas in clear expressions, in a very edifying and instructive manner: these communicate knowledge to others, and increase it in themselves: for, while they are improving others, they improve themselves and learning also, whether it be divine or human; these are such who are "apt to teach", Ti1 3:2; and if they have proper hearers to attend them, they will "increase in learning", as a just man does, Pro 9:9.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown · Proverbs 16:21
wise in heart--who rightly consider duty.
sweetness of the lips--eloquent discourse, persuades and instructs others.
Read Jamieson, Fausset & Brown's full commentary on Proverbs 16 →
Cross References for Proverbs 16:21
Related passages, ranked by how often readers connect them. Cross-reference data from openbible.info (CC-BY).
Questions about Proverbs 16:21
What does Proverbs 16:21 say?
Proverbs 16:21 in the King James Version reads: “The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.” Read it in the full context of Proverbs 16, alongside the classic commentary on this page.
Where is Proverbs 16:21 found in the Bible?
Proverbs 16:21 is in the book of Proverbs, chapter 16, verse 21, in the Old Testament.
What Bible translation is Proverbs 16:21 shown in?
This is the King James Version (KJV), a public-domain translation. You can compare how other translations render Proverbs 16:21 in the table on this page.
Note, 1. Those that have solid wisdom will have the credit of it; it will gain them reputation, and they shall be called prudent grave men, and a deference will be paid to their judgment. Do that which is wise and good and thou shalt have the praise of the same. 2. Those that with their wisdom have a happy elocution, that deliver their sentiments easily and with a good grace, are communicative of their wisdom and have words at will, and good language as well as good sense, increase learning; they diffuse and propagate knowledge to others, and do good work with it, and by that means increase their own stock. They add doctrine, improve sciences, and do service to the commonwealth of learning. To him that has, and uses what he has, more shall be given.