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21 The wise of heart[a] is called perceptive,
    but he who is pleasant of lips will increase persuasiveness.
22 A fountain of life is wisdom for its owner,[b]
    but the instruction[c] of fools is folly.
23 The heart[d] of the wise will make his mouth judicious,
    and upon his lips, it[e] will add persuasiveness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 16:22 Or “master”
  3. Proverbs 16:22 Or “punishment”
  4. Proverbs 16:23 Or “mind”
  5. Proverbs 16:23 Or “he”

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