Proverbs 16:21 (YLT)

Passage

To the wise in heart is called, `Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.

Nearby Context

Proverbs 16:19 Better is humility of spirit with the poor, Than to apportion spoil with the proud.

Proverbs 16:20 The wise in any matter findeth good, And whoso is trusting in Jehovah, O his happiness.

Proverbs 16:21 To the wise in heart is called, `Intelligent,' And sweetness of lips increaseth learning.

Proverbs 16:22 A fountain of life <FI>is<Fi> understanding to its possessors, The instruction of fools is folly.

Proverbs 16:23 The heart of the wise causeth his mouth to act wisely, And by his lips he increaseth learning,

Study Lenses

The verse centers on "called", "wise", "heart", "intelligent", "sweetness", "lips", "increaseth", and "learning". It is saying that the verse draws attention to "called" and "wise", so its meaning should be read from those terms before moving to application.

The nearby context moves from verse 20's "The wise in any matter findeth good..." into verse 22's "A fountain of life FI is Fi...", so "called" and "wise" belong inside that flow. In Proverbs context, the local focus is covenant, worship, and faithfulness.

A plain takeaway is to answer the verse's own emphasis on "called" and "wise" with trust shaped by these words, not by a vague optimism outside the passage.