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21 The wise are known for their understanding,
    and pleasant words are persuasive.

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21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive

23 From a wise mind comes wise speech;
    the words of the wise are persuasive.

24 Kind words are like honey—
    sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

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23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(A)
    and their lips promote instruction.[a](B)

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,(C)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive

The Lord’s Obedient Servant

The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom,
    so that I know how to comfort the weary.
Morning by morning he wakens me
    and opens my understanding to his will.

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The Sovereign Lord(A) has given me a well-instructed tongue,(B)
    to know the word that sustains the weary.(C)
He wakens me morning by morning,(D)
    wakens my ear to listen like one being instructed.(E)

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The lips of the wise give good advice;
    the heart of a fool has none to give.

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The lips of the wise spread knowledge,(A)
    but the hearts of fools are not upright.

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The heartfelt counsel of a friend
    is as sweet as perfume and incense.

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Perfume(A) and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.

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17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere.

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17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven(A) is first of all pure; then peace-loving,(B) considerate, submissive, full of mercy(C) and good fruit, impartial and sincere.(D)

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46 “We have never heard anyone speak like this!” the guards responded.

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46 “No one ever spoke the way this man does,”(A) the guards replied.

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22 Everyone spoke well of him and was amazed by the gracious words that came from his lips. “How can this be?” they asked. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?”

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22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his lips. “Isn’t this Joseph’s son?” they asked.(A)

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10 The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 12:10 Or sought to write what was upright and true.

10 The Teacher(A) searched to find just the right words, and what he wrote was upright and true.(B)

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15 My child,[a] if your heart is wise,
    my own heart will rejoice!

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Footnotes

  1. 23:15 Hebrew My son; also in 23:19.

Saying 14

15 My son, if your heart is wise,
    then my heart will be glad indeed;

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The wise are glad to be instructed,
    but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

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The wise in heart accept commands,
    but a chattering fool comes to ruin.(A)

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You are the most handsome of all.
    Gracious words stream from your lips.
    God himself has blessed you forever.

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You are the most excellent of men
    and your lips have been anointed with grace,(A)
    since God has blessed you forever.(B)

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12 I will give you what you asked for! I will give you a wise and understanding heart such as no one else has had or ever will have!

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12 I will do what you have asked.(A) I will give you a wise(B) and discerning heart, so that there will never have been anyone like you, nor will there ever be.

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