let the wise listen and add to their learning,(A)
    and let the discerning get guidance—

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35 The wise inherit honor,
    but fools get only shame.

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Do not rebuke mockers(A) or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.(B)
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.(C)

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14 The wise store up knowledge,(A)
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.(B)

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29 Whoever brings ruin on their family will inherit only wind,
    and the fool will be servant to the wise.(A)

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A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(A)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(B)

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16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(A)
    but a fool(B) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

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24 The wealth of the wise is their crown,
    but the folly of fools yields folly.(A)

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The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,(A)
    but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.(B)

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

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

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Footnotes

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

15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(A)
    for the ears of the wise seek it out.

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11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom;
    by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.(A)

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20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
    but fools gulp theirs down.

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22 One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty(A)
    and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

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Further Sayings of the Wise

23 These also are sayings of the wise:(A)

To show partiality(B) in judging is not good:(C)
24 Whoever says to the guilty, “You are innocent,”(D)
    will be cursed by peoples and denounced by nations.
25 But it will go well with those who convict the guilty,
    and rich blessing will come on them.

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Mockers stir up a city,
    but the wise turn away anger.(A)

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11 Fools give full vent to their rage,(A)
    but the wise bring calm in the end.(B)

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