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KING JAMES BIBLE · PCE

Proverbs 16:21–23

TEXT EDITION
Pure Cambridge Edition selected
The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.
Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.
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PASSAGE SELECTION

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Choose up to 10 verses in this chapter. The study tools update with the selected passage.

SCRIPTURE WITH SCRIPTURE

Cross References

15 Essential passages are open for comparison.

Reference depth

From verse 21

  1. Proverbs 16:23–24Rank 1 from verse 21
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    23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

    24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

  2. Isaiah 50:4Rank 2 from verse 21
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    4The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned.

  3. Proverbs 15:7Rank 3 from verse 21
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    7The lips of the wise disperse knowledge: but the heart of the foolish doeth not so.

  4. Proverbs 27:9Rank 4 from verse 21
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    9Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

  5. James 3:17Rank 5 from verse 21
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    17But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

From verse 22

  1. Proverbs 13:14Rank 1 from verse 22
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    14The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to depart from the snares of death.

  2. John 5:24Rank 2 from verse 22
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    24Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.

  3. John 6:63Rank 3 from verse 22
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    63It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.

  4. Matthew 15:14Rank 4 from verse 22
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    14Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.

  5. Proverbs 10:11Rank 5 from verse 22
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    11The mouth of a righteous man is a well of life: but violence covereth the mouth of the wicked.

From verse 23

  1. Proverbs 15:28Rank 1 from verse 23
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    28The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.

  2. Matthew 12:34–35Rank 2 from verse 23
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    34O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

    35A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.

  3. Colossians 3:16Rank 3 from verse 23
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    16Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

  4. Proverbs 22:17–18Rank 4 from verse 23
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    17Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.

    18For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips.

  5. Psalms 37:30–31Rank 5 from verse 23
    Open

    30The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.

    31The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide.

WORDS IN THIS PASSAGE

Definitions

Open a word for its full definition and concordance.

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:21

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

in

↗

1. A preposition marking position, presence, state, circumstance, manner, means, sphere, reference, relation, association, or participation. 2. As an adverb, inward, inside, or into the place or position referred to.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

shall

↗

An auxiliary verb expressing future action, intention, promise, command, requirement, or determination.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

called

↗

Past-tense, participial, or adjectival form of call. Sense 1: To name. Sense 2: To summon or invite. Sense 3: To proclaim or address. Sense 4: To request.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

prudent

↗

Wise, discerning, thoughtful, circumspect, and careful in judgment or conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Bullokar 1616

COMBINED MEANING

lips

↗

Sense 1: The physical borders of the mouth. Sense 2: By extension, speech or utterance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

learning

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of learn, meaning to gain knowledge, receive instruction, or come to know.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:22

COMBINED MEANING

understanding

↗

1. The capacity or act of perceiving, comprehending, discerning, judging, interpreting, or applying knowledge. 2. Knowledge, insight, wisdom, or prudent judgment possessed or gained. 3. Skill or ability in a work, art, subject, vision, saying, or interpretation.

Meaning drawn from: Direct Scripture definition · KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

but

↗

Sense 1: However; marking contrast or qualification. Sense 2: Except or unless; excluding all others or alternatives. Sense 3: Only; no more than what follows.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Skeat 1893 · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

instruction

↗

Teaching or information that directs understanding and conduct; correction, discipline, or an instructive warning.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references · Webster 1828

COMBINED MEANING

fools

↗

Persons lacking wisdom or sound judgment, especially in moral or spiritual conduct.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

DEFINED WORDS

Proverbs 16:23

COMBINED MEANING

heart

↗

Sense 1: The bodily organ. Sense 2: The inward person: the mind, will, affections, conscience, or moral character.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

wise

↗

Sense 1: Possessing or exercising understanding, knowledge, prudence, judgment, discernment, or skill; also a wise person. Sense 2: In phrases such as in no wise, way, manner, respect, or degree.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

mouth

↗

Sense 1: The bodily opening used for eating, breathing, and speaking. Sense 2: The opening or entrance of a thing. Sense 3: Speech, utterance, or the agency of speaking.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

learning

↗

Present-participial or verbal-noun form of learn, meaning to gain knowledge, receive instruction, or come to know.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

COMBINED MEANING

lips

↗

Sense 1: The physical borders of the mouth. Sense 2: By extension, speech or utterance.

Meaning drawn from: KJV context and cross-references

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20He that handleth a matter wisely shall find good: and whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.

21The wise in heart shall be called prudent: and the sweetness of the lips increaseth learning.

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22Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly.

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23The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

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24Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

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