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21 If you have wise thoughts,
    people will say that you know what is right.
If you speak kind words,
    people will accept your teaching.
22 Wisdom is like a spring of fresh water that gives life to those who have it.
    But the silly things that fools do brings them punishment.
23 Wise people think carefully and they speak wise words.
    Then other people will accept their teaching.

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21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.[a](A)

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(B)
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(C)
    and their lips promote instruction.[b](D)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
  2. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive