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21 The person who is truly wise is called understanding,
    and speaking sweetly helps others learn.
22 Understanding is a fountain of life to the one who has it,
    but stubborn fools punish themselves with their stupidity.
23 A wise person’s heart controls his speech,
    and what he says helps others learn.

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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