Proverbs 16:21
Modern Translations
New International Version
The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.

New Living Translation
The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive.

English Standard Version
The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

Berean Study Bible
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant speech promotes instruction.

New American Standard Bible
The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

NASB 1995
The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

NASB 1977
The wise in heart will be called discerning, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

Amplified Bible
The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].

Christian Standard Bible
Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning, and pleasant speech increases learning.

Contemporary English Version
Good judgment proves that you are wise, and if you speak kindly, you can teach others.

Good News Translation
A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The person who is truly wise is called understanding, and speaking sweetly helps others learn.

International Standard Version
The wise-hearted person is told to be discerning, and that pleasant speech promotes instruction.

NET Bible
The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness.
Classic Translations
King James Bible
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

New King James Version
The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning.

King James 2000 Bible
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.

New Heart English Bible
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

World English Bible
The wise in heart shall be called prudent. Pleasantness of the lips promotes instruction.

American King James Version
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.

American Standard Version
The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

A Faithful Version
The wise in heart shall be called prudent, and the sweetness of the lips increases learning.

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

English Revised Version
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

Webster's Bible Translation
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

Early Modern
Geneva Bible of 1587
The wise in heart shall bee called prudent: and the sweetenesse of the lippes shall increase doctrine.

Bishops' Bible of 1568
Who so is wyse in heart, shalbe called prudent: and the sweetnesse of his lippes encreaseth learnyng.

Coverdale Bible of 1535
Who so hath a wyse vnderstondinge, is called to councell: but he yt can speake fayre, getteth more riches.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For the wise in heart is called intelligent, "" And sweetness of lips increases learning.

Young's Literal Translation
To the wise in heart is called, 'Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.

Smith's Literal Translation
He understanding shall call to the wise of heart: and sweetness of lips shall add knowledge.

Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and he that is sweet in words shall attain to greater things.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Whoever is wise in heart shall be called prudent. And whoever is sweet in eloquence shall attain to what is greater.

Translations from Aramaic
Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
The wise of heart knows understanding, and he whose lips are sweet will increase learning.

Lamsa Bible
The wise in heart is a man of discernment; and he whose speech is sweet increases learning.

OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The wise in heart is called a man of discernment; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Men call the wise and understanding evil: but they that are pleasing in speech shall hear more.
















Proverbs 16:20
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