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21 The wise of heart ·are known for their [L will be called] understanding.
Their ·pleasant [sweet] words ·make them better teachers [enhance their teaching].

22 ·Understanding is like a fountain which gives life to those who use it [L One who possesses insight is a fountain of life],
but ·foolishness brings punishment to fools [or the instruction of foolish people is folly].

23 Wise people’s ·minds [hearts] ·tell them what to say [L provide insight to their mouth],
and that ·helps them be better teachers [enhances 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