Proverbs 16:23
New International Version
The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction.

New Living Translation
From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.

English Standard Version
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Berean Standard Bible
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

King James Bible
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

New King James Version
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.

New American Standard Bible
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

NASB 1995
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

NASB 1977
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Legacy Standard Bible
The heart of the wise gives insight to his mouth And increases learning to his lips.

Amplified Bible
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom] And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

Christian Standard Bible
The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth; it adds learning to his speech.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
A wise heart instructs its mouth and increases learning with its speech.

American Standard Version
The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.

Contemporary English Version
You can persuade others if you are wise and speak sensibly.

English Revised Version
The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
A wise person's heart controls his speech, and what he says helps others learn.

Good News Translation
Intelligent people think before they speak; what they say is then more persuasive.

International Standard Version
A wise person's thoughts control his words, and his speech promotes instruction.

Majority Standard Bible
The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

NET Bible
A wise person's heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words.

New Heart English Bible
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

Webster's Bible Translation
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

World English Bible
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
The heart of the wise causes his mouth to act wisely, "" And he increases learning by his lips,

Young's Literal Translation
The heart of the wise causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning,

Smith's Literal Translation
The heart of the wise shall attend to his mouth, and he shall add knowledge to his lips.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.

Catholic Public Domain Version
The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth and add grace to his lips.

New American Bible
The heart of the wise makes for eloquent speech, and increases the learning on their lips.

New Revised Standard Version
The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious, and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The heart of the wise understands the speech of his mouth and adds learning to his lips.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
A wise heart knows the speech of its mouth and adds learning to its lips.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
The heart of the wise will discern the things which proceed from his own mouth; and on his lips he will wear knowledge.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Reply of the Tongue is from the LORD
22Understanding is a fountain of life to its possessor, but the discipline of fools is folly. 23The heart of the wise man instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. 24Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.…

Cross References
James 3:13
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good conduct, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Matthew 12:34-35
You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. / The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure.

Luke 6:45
The good man brings good things out of the good treasure of his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil treasure of his heart. For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.

James 1:19
My beloved brothers, understand this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger,

Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious, but the lips of a fool consume him.

Psalm 37:30
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice.

Proverbs 15:2
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil.

Proverbs 10:31-32
The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom, but a perverse tongue will be cut out. / The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.

Proverbs 12:18
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Proverbs 18:21
Life and death are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.


Treasury of Scripture

The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

heart

Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

Proverbs 22:17,18
Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge…

Psalm 37:30,31
The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment…

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Act Addeth Adds Causeth Gives Guides Heart Increased Increaseth Instructeth Instruction Instructs Intelligent Judicious Learning Makes Maketh Mind Mouth Persuasiveness Promote Speech Teacher Teacheth Wise Wisely
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Act Addeth Adds Causeth Gives Guides Heart Increased Increaseth Instructeth Instruction Instructs Intelligent Judicious Learning Makes Maketh Mind Mouth Persuasiveness Promote Speech Teacher Teacheth Wise Wisely
Proverbs 16
1. The Plans of the heart














The heart of the wise man
In Hebrew, the word for "heart" is "לֵב" (lev), which often signifies the inner person, encompassing mind, will, and emotions. In ancient Hebrew culture, the heart was seen as the center of thought and moral decision-making. A "wise man" (חָכָם, chakam) is one who possesses not just knowledge, but the skillful application of it in life. This phrase suggests that true wisdom originates from within and is deeply rooted in one's character and understanding of God's principles.

instructs his mouth
The Hebrew verb "שָׂכַל" (sakal) means to be prudent, to have insight, or to give instruction. This implies that wisdom is not passive but actively guides one's speech. In the biblical context, speech is a powerful tool that can build up or tear down. The wise person uses their words carefully, ensuring that what they say is beneficial and edifying. This aligns with the broader biblical teaching that our words reflect our inner character (Matthew 12:34).

and adds persuasiveness to his lips
The term "persuasiveness" comes from the Hebrew "לֶקַח" (leqach), which can mean learning, insight, or persuasiveness. This suggests that the wise person's words are not only informed but also compelling and influential. In the ancient Near Eastern context, a person's ability to speak persuasively was highly valued, as it could lead to peace, understanding, and reconciliation. The phrase underscores the power of well-chosen words to influence others positively, reflecting the biblical ideal of speaking truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

(23)Addeth learning to his lips.--His wisdom and learning do not remain hidden in his heart, but continually rise to his lips, like the waters of an everflowing fountain, for the instruction of others.

Verse 23. - The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth. Out of the abundance of his heart the wise man speaks; the spirit within him finds fit utterance. Pectus est quod disertos facit. The thought and mind control the outward expression and make it eloquent and persuasive (comp. Proverbs 15:2). And addeth learning to his lips; Vulgate, "addeth grace." But lekach, which means properly "reception," "taking in," is best rendered "learning," as in ver. 21; Proverbs 1:5, etc. The intellect and knowledge of the wise display themselves in their discourse. Delitzsch, "Learning mounteth up to his lips." Ecclus. 21:26, "The heart of fools is in their mouth; but the mouth of the wise is in their heart." Septuagint, "The heart of the wise will consider what proceedeth from his mouth; and on his lips he will carry prudence (ἐπιγνωμοσύνην)."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The heart
לֵ֣ב (lêḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3820: The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centre

of the wise [man]
חָ֭כָם (ḥā·ḵām)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2450: Wise

instructs
יַשְׂכִּ֣יל (yaś·kîl)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7919: To be, circumspect, intelligent

his mouth
פִּ֑יהוּ (pî·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 6310: The mouth, edge, portion, side, according to

and adds
יֹסִ֥יף (yō·sîp̄)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3254: To add, augment

persuasiveness
לֶֽקַח׃ (le·qaḥ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3948: Something received, instruction, inveiglement

to
וְעַל־ (wə·‘a·lś-)
Conjunctive waw | Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

his lips.
שְׂ֝פָתָ֗יו (p̄ā·ṯāw)
Noun - fdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8193: The lip, language, a margin


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OT Poetry: Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise instructs his (Prov. Pro Pr)
Proverbs 16:22
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