Proverbs 16:23
<< Proverbs 16:23 >>
New International Version (©1984)
A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.

New Living Translation (©2007)
From a wise mind comes wise speech; the words of the wise are persuasive.

English Standard Version (©2001)
The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.

New American Standard Bible (©1995)
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth And adds persuasiveness to his lips.

King James Bible (Cambridge Ed.)
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

Aramaic Bible in Plain English (©2010)
A wise heart knows the speech of its mouth and adds learning to its lips.

GOD'S WORD® Translation (©1995)
A wise person's heart controls his speech, and what he says helps others learn.

King James 2000 Bible (©2003)
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

American King James Version
The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

American Standard Version
The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, And addeth learning to his lips.

Douay-Rheims Bible
The heart of the wise shall instruct his mouth: and shall add grace to his lips.

Darby Bible Translation
The heart of the wise maketh his mouth intelligent, and upon his lips increaseth learning.

English Revised Version
The heart of the wise instructeth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

Webster's Bible Translation
The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

World English Bible
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth, and adds learning to his lips.

Young's Literal Translation
The heart of the wise causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning,

Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth - He has a wise heart; he speaks as it dictates; and therefore his speeches are all speeches of wisdom.


Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth,.... That is, a man that is wise in heart, as in Proverbs 16:21; his heart will teach his mouth what to say, when to say it, and before whom; it will prompt him to matter, that he shall not be at a loss what to say, nor how to say; it will furnish him with words and things; out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh, Matthew 12:34;

and addeth learning to his lips: so that he does not deliver out mere words, but solid learning along with them, instructive to himself and others. The Targum is,

"and by his lips he addeth doctrine;''

or increases knowledge.


Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

23 The heat of the wise maketh his mouth wise,

     And learning mounteth up to his lips.

Regarding השׂכּיל as causative: to put into the possession of intelligence, vid., at Genesis 3:6. Wisdom in the heart produceth intelligent discourse, and, as the parallel member expresses it, learning mounteth up to the lips, i.e., the learning which the man taketh into his lips (Proverbs 22:18; cf. Psalm 16:4) to communicate it to others, for the contents of the learning, and the ability to communicate it, are measured by the wisdom of the heart of him who possesses it. One can also interpret הוסיף as extens. increasing: the heart of the wise increaseth, i.e., spreads abroad learning, but then בּשׂפתיו (Psalm 119:13) would have been more suitable; על־שׂפתיו calls up the idea of learning as hovering on the lips, and thus brings so much nearer, for הוסיף, the meaning of the exaltation of its worth and impression.


Geneva Study Bible

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


Wesley's Notes

16:23 Teacheth - Directs him what to speak, and keeps him from speaking foolishly. Addeth - Enables him to speak learnedly and wisely.


King James Translators' Notes

teacheth: Heb. maketh wise


Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

23. The heart is the source of wisdom flowing from the mouth.


Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

16:12. The ruler that uses his power aright, will find that to be his best security. 13. Put those in power who know how to speak to the purpose. 14,15. Those are fools, who, to obtain the favour of an earthly prince, throw themselves out of God's favour. 16. There is joy and satisfaction of spirit, only in getting wisdom. 17. A sincerely religious man keeps at a distance from every appearance of evil. Happy is the man that walks in Christ, and is led by the Spirit of Christ. 18. When men defy God's judgments, and think themselves far from them, it is a sign they are at the door. Let us not fear the pride of others, but fear pride in ourselves. 19. Humility, though it exposes to contempt in the world, is much better than high-spiritedness, which makes God an enemy. He that understands God's word shall find good. 21. The man whose wisdom dwells in his heart, will be found more truly prudent than many who possess shining talents. 22. As waters to a thirsty land, so is a wise man to his friends and neighbours. 23. The wise man's self-knowledge, always suggests something proper to be spoken to others. 24. The word of God cures the diseases that weaken our souls. 25. This is caution to all, to take heed of deceiving themselves as to their souls. 26. We must labour for the meat which endureth to everlasting life, or we must perish.


Matthew 12:34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Psalm 37:30 The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.
Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
Proverbs 16:21 The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.
Proverbs 16:22 Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools.

Act Addeth Adds Causeth Gives Guides Heart Increased Increaseth Instructeth Instruction Instructs Intelligent Judicious Learning Makes Maketh Mind Mouth Persuasiveness Promote Speech Teacher Teacheth Wise Wisely


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

heart 15:28 22:17,18 Ps 37:30,31 45:1 Mt 12:34,35 Col 3:16

Proverbs Chapter 16 Verse 23

Alphabetical: A adds and guides heart his instruction instructs lips man's mouth of persuasiveness promote The to wise

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