Proverbs 16:21

NET Bible® (New English Translation)

The one who is wise in heart is called discerning, and kind speech increases persuasiveness.

Additional Resources

Referenced Verses

  • Prov 16:23-24 : 23 A wise person’s heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words. 24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
  • Isa 50:4 : 4 The Servant Perseveres The Sovereign LORD has given me the capacity to be his spokesman, so that I know how to help the weary. He wakes me up every morning; he makes me alert so I can listen attentively as disciples do.
  • Luke 4:22 : 22 All were speaking well of him, and were amazed at the gracious words coming out of his mouth. They said,“Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”
  • John 7:46 : 46 The officers replied,“No one ever spoke like this man!”
  • 1 Kgs 3:12 : 12 I grant your request, and give you a wise and discerning mind superior to that of anyone who has preceded or will succeed you.
  • Ps 45:2 : 2 You are the most handsome of all men! You speak in an impressive and fitting manner! For this reason God grants you continual blessings.
  • Prov 15:7 : 7 The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.
  • Prov 10:8 : 8 The wise person accepts instructions, but the one who speaks foolishness will come to ruin.
  • Prov 23:15 : 15 My child, if your heart is wise, then my heart also will be glad;
  • Prov 27:9 : 9 Ointment and incense make the heart rejoice, likewise the sweetness of one’s friend from sincere counsel.
  • Eccl 12:10 : 10 The Teacher sought to find delightful words, and to write accurately truthful sayings.
  • Rom 16:19 : 19 Your obedience is known to all and thus I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.
  • Jas 3:17 : 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and not hypocritical.

Similar Verses (AI)

These verses are found using AI-powered semantic similarity based on meaning and context. Results may occasionally include unexpected connections.

  • Prov 16:22-24
    3 verses
    88%

    22Insight is like a life-giving fountain to the one who possesses it, but folly leads to the discipline of fools.

    23A wise person’s heart makes his speech wise and it adds persuasiveness to his words.

    24Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

  • Prov 1:4-6
    3 verses
    79%

    4To impart shrewdness to the morally naive, a discerning plan to the young person.

    5(Let the wise also hear and gain instruction, and let the discerning acquire guidance!)

    6To discern the meaning of a proverb and a parable, the sayings of the wise and their riddles.

  • Prov 18:15
    78%

    15The discerning person acquires knowledge, and the wise person seeks knowledge.

  • Prov 15:7
    77%

    7The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but not so the heart of fools.

  • Prov 16:20
    77%

    20The one who deals wisely in a matter will find success, and blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD.

  • Prov 5:2
    76%

    2in order to safeguard discretion, and that your lips may guard knowledge.

  • Prov 10:21
    76%

    21The teaching of the righteous feeds many, but fools die for lack of sense.

  • Prov 15:2
    76%

    2The tongue of the wise treats knowledge correctly, but the mouth of the fool spouts out folly.

  • Prov 2:10-11
    2 verses
    76%

    10For wisdom will enter your heart, and moral knowledge will be attractive to you.

    11Discretion will protect you, understanding will guard you,

  • Prov 22:18
    76%

    18For it is pleasing if you keep these sayings within you, and they are ready on your lips.

  • Prov 14:3
    75%

    3In the speech of a fool is a rod for his back, but the words of the wise protect them.

  • Prov 12:23
    75%

    23The shrewd person conceals knowledge, but foolish people proclaim folly.

  • Prov 15:14
    75%

    14The discerning mind seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly.

  • Prov 10:13-14
    2 verses
    75%

    13Wisdom is found in the words of the discerning person, but the one who lacks sense will be disciplined.

    14Those who are wise store up knowledge, but foolish speech leads to imminent destruction.

  • Prov 20:15
    75%

    15There is gold, and an abundance of rubies, but words of knowledge are like a precious jewel.

  • Prov 23:16
    74%

    16my soul will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.

  • Prov 16:13
    74%

    13The delight of a king is righteous counsel, and he will love the one who speaks uprightly.

  • Eccl 10:12
    74%

    12Words and Works of Wise Men and Fools The words of a wise person win him favor, but the words of a fool are self-destructive.

  • Prov 2:6
    73%

    6For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.

  • Prov 19:8
    73%

    8The one who acquires understanding loves himself; the one who preserves understanding will prosper.

  • Prov 14:33
    73%

    33Wisdom rests in the heart of the discerning; it is not known in the inner parts of fools.

  • Prov 9:9
    73%

    9Give instruction to a wise person, and he will become wiser still; teach a righteous person and he will add to his learning.

  • Prov 3:13
    73%

    13Blessings of Obtaining Wisdom Blessed is the one who has found wisdom, and the one who obtains understanding.

  • Prov 24:26
    73%

    26Like a kiss on the lips is the one who gives an honest answer.

  • Prov 16:16
    73%

    16How much better it is to acquire wisdom than gold; to acquire understanding is more desirable than silver.

  • Prov 13:16
    73%

    16Every shrewd person acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.

  • Prov 10:19
    73%

    19When words abound, transgression is inevitable, but the one who restrains his words is wise.

  • Prov 10:31
    73%

    31The speech of the righteous bears the fruit of wisdom, but the one who speaks perversion will be destroyed.

  • Prov 15:31
    72%

    31The person who hears the reproof that leads to life is at home among the wise.

  • Prov 14:8
    72%

    8The wisdom of the shrewd person is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deception.

  • Prov 10:8
    72%

    8The wise person accepts instructions, but the one who speaks foolishness will come to ruin.

  • Prov 17:27-28
    2 verses
    72%

    27The truly wise person restrains his words, and the one who stays calm is discerning.

    28Even a fool who remains silent is considered wise, and the one who holds his tongue is deemed discerning.

  • Prov 31:26
    72%

    26She has opened her mouth with wisdom, with loving instruction on her tongue.

  • Prov 22:11
    72%

    11The one who loves a pure heart and whose speech is gracious– the king will be his friend.

  • Prov 16:1
    72%

    1The intentions of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue comes from the LORD.

  • Prov 24:13-14
    2 verses
    71%

    13Eat honey, my child, for it is good, and honey from the honeycomb is sweet to your taste.

    14Likewise, know that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you have found it, you have a future, and your hope will not be cut off.

  • Ps 37:30
    71%

    30The godly speak wise words and promote justice.

  • Prov 15:23-24
    2 verses
    71%

    23A person has joy in giving an appropriate answer, and a word at the right time– how good it is!

    24The path of life is upward for the wise person, to keep him from going downward to Sheol.

  • Prov 14:18
    71%

    18The naive have inherited folly, but the shrewd will be crowned with knowledge.

  • Prov 14:15
    71%

    15A naive person will believe anything, but the shrewd person discerns his steps.

  • Prov 21:23
    71%

    23The one who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps his life from troubles.