Proverbs 16:21-33
Proverbs 16:21-33 The Message (MSG)
A wise person gets known for insight; gracious words add to one’s reputation. True intelligence is a spring of fresh water, while fools sweat it out the hard way. They make a lot of sense, these wise folks; whenever they speak, their reputation increases. Gracious speech is like clover honey— good taste to the soul, quick energy for the body. There’s a way that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. Appetite is an incentive to work; hunger makes you work all the harder. Mean people spread mean gossip; their words smart and burn. Troublemakers start fights; gossips break up friendships. Calloused climbers betray their very own friends; they’d stab their own grandmothers in the back. A shifty eye betrays an evil intention; a clenched jaw signals trouble ahead. Gray hair is a mark of distinction, the award for a God-loyal life. Moderation is better than muscle, self-control better than political power. Make your motions and cast your votes, but GOD has the final say.
Proverbs 16:21-33 King James Version (KJV)
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: But the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death. He that laboureth laboureth for himself; For his mouth craveth it of him. An ungodly man diggeth up evil: And in his lips there is as a burning fire. A froward man soweth strife: And a whisperer separateth chief friends. A violent man enticeth his neighbour, And leadeth him into the way that is not good. He shutteth his eyes to devise froward things: Moving his lips he bringeth evil to pass. The hoary head is a crown of glory, If it be found in the way of righteousness. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of the LORD.
Proverbs 16:21-33 New American Standard Bible - NASB 1995 (NASB1995)
The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly. The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. A worker’s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on. A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are like scorching fire. A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends. A man of violence entices his neighbor And leads him in a way that is not good. He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil to pass. A gray head is a crown of glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:21-33 New Century Version (NCV)
The wise are known for their understanding. Their pleasant words make them better teachers. Understanding is like a fountain which gives life to those who use it, but foolishness brings punishment to fools. Wise people’s minds tell them what to say, and that helps them be better teachers. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, making people happy and healthy. Some people think they are doing right, but in the end it leads to death. The workers’ hunger helps them, because their desire to eat makes them work. Useless people make evil plans, and their words are like a burning fire. A useless person causes trouble, and a gossip ruins friendships. Cruel people trick their neighbors and lead them to do wrong. Someone who winks is planning evil, and the one who grins is planning something wrong. Gray hair is like a crown of honor; it is earned by living a good life. Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city. People throw lots to make a decision, but the answer comes from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:21-33 American Standard Version (ASV)
The wise in heart shall be called prudent; And the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning. Understanding is a well-spring of life unto him that hath it; But the correction of fools is their folly. The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips. Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, But the end thereof are the ways of death. The appetite of the laboring man laboreth for him; For his mouth urgeth him thereto. A worthless man deviseth mischief; And in his lips there is as a scorching fire. A perverse man scattereth abroad strife; And a whisperer separateth chief friends. A man of violence enticeth his neighbor, And leadeth him in a way that is not good. He that shutteth his eyes, it is to devise perverse things: He that compresseth his lips bringeth evil to pass. The hoary head is a crown of glory; It shall be found in the way of righteousness. He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; And he that ruleth his spirit, than he that taketh a city. The lot is cast into the lap; But the whole disposing thereof is of Jehovah.
Proverbs 16:21-33 New International Version (NIV)
The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent, but folly brings punishment to fools. The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent, and their lips promote instruction. Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death. The appetite of laborers works for them; their hunger drives them on. A scoundrel plots evil, and on their lips it is like a scorching fire. A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good. Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil. Gray hair is a crown of splendor; it is attained in the way of righteousness. Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:21-33 New King James Version (NKJV)
The wise in heart will be called prudent, And sweetness of the lips increases learning. Understanding is a wellspring of life to him who has it. But the correction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweetness to the soul and health to the bones. There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. The person who labors, labors for himself, For his hungry mouth drives him on. An ungodly man digs up evil, And it is on his lips like a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends. A violent man entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good. He winks his eye to devise perverse things; He purses his lips and brings about evil. The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness. He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:21-33 Amplified Bible (AMP)
The wise in heart will be called understanding, And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener]. Understanding (spiritual insight) is a [refreshing and boundless] wellspring of life to those who have it, But to give instruction and correction to fools is foolishness. The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom] And adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body. There is a way which seems right to a man and appears straight before him, But its end is the way of death. The appetite of a worker works for him, For his hunger urges him on. A worthless man devises and digs up evil, And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire. A perverse man spreads strife, And one who gossips separates intimate friends. [Prov 17:9] A violent and exceedingly covetous man entices his neighbor [to sin], And leads him in a way that is not good. He who [slyly] winks his eyes does so to plot perverse things; And he who compresses his lips [as if in a secret signal] brings evil to pass. The silver-haired head is a crown of splendor and glory; It is found in the way of righteousness. [Prov 20:29] He who is slow to anger is better and more honorable than the mighty [soldier], And he who rules and controls his own spirit, than he who captures a city. The lot is cast into the lap, But its every decision is from the LORD.
Proverbs 16:21-33 New Living Translation (NLT)
The wise are known for their understanding, and pleasant words are persuasive. Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it, but discipline is wasted on fools. From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive. Kind words are like honey— sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. It is good for workers to have an appetite; an empty stomach drives them on. Scoundrels create trouble; their words are a destructive blaze. A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends. Violent people mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path. With narrowed eyes, people plot evil; with a smirk, they plan their mischief. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained by living a godly life. Better to be patient than powerful; better to have self-control than to conquer a city. We may throw the dice, but the LORD determines how they fall.
Proverbs 16:21-33 The Passion Translation (TPT)
The one with a wise heart is called “discerning,” and speaking sweetly to others makes your teaching even more convincing. Wisdom is a deep well of understanding opened up within you as a fountain of life for others, but it’s senseless to try to instruct a fool. Winsome words pour from a heart of wisdom, adding value to all you teach. Nothing is more appealing than speaking beautiful, life-giving words. For they release sweetness to our souls and inner healing to our spirits. Before every person there is a path that seems like the right one to take, but it leads straight to hell! Life motivation comes from the deep longings of the heart, and the passion to see them fulfilled urges you onward. A wicked scoundrel wants to dig up dirt on others, only to spread slander and shred their reputation. A twisted person spreads rumors; a whispering gossip ruins good friendships. A vicious criminal can be persuasive, enticing others to join him as partners in crime, but he leads them all down a despicable path. It’s easy to tell when a wicked man is hatching some crooked scheme— it’s written all over his face. His looks betray him as he gives birth to his sin. Old age with wisdom will crown you with dignity and honor, for it takes a lifetime of righteousness to acquire it. Do you want to be a mighty warrior? It’s better to be known as one who is patient and slow to anger. Do you want to conquer a city? Rule over your temper before you attempt to rule a city. We may toss the coin and roll the dice, but God’s will is greater than luck.
Proverbs 16:21-33 English Standard Version 2016 (ESV)
The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly. The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. A worker’s appetite works for him; his mouth urges him on. A worthless man plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good. Whoever winks his eyes plans dishonest things; he who purses his lips brings evil to pass. Gray hair is a crown of glory; it is gained in a righteous life. Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD.