Proverbs 13:16 “Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.”

Proverbs 13:16

Every prudent man acts with knowledge, but a fool displays his folly.

Berean Standard Bible

Other translations

King James Version

Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly.

World English Bible

Every prudent man acts from knowledge, but a fool exposes folly.

American Standard Version

Every prudent man worketh with knowledge; But a fool flaunteth his folly.

Geneva Bible 1599

Euery wise man will worke by knowledge: but a foole will spread abroade folly.

Darby Translation

Every prudent [man] acteth with knowledge; but the foolish layeth open [his] folly.

Young's Literal Translation

Every prudent one dealeth with knowledge, And a fool spreadeth out folly.

Bible in Basic English

A sharp man does everything with knowledge, but a foolish man makes clear his foolish thoughts.

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Cross references

“prudent”

Proverbs 15:2 Ephesians 5:17 Isaiah 52:13 Romans 16:19 Proverbs 21:24 Psalm 112:5

Proverbs 15:2 · BSB

The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool spouts folly.

Ephesians 5:17 · BSB

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

Isaiah 52:13 · BSB

Behold, My Servant will prosper; He will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

Romans 16:19 · BSB

Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil.

Proverbs 21:24 · BSB

Mocker is the name of the proud and arrogant man— of him who acts with excessive pride.

Psalm 112:5 · BSB

It is well with the man who is generous and lends freely, whose affairs are guided by justice.

“a fool”

Ecclesiastes 10:3 1 Samuel 25:17 1 Samuel 25:25 1 Samuel 25:10 1 Samuel 25:11

Ecclesiastes 10:3 · BSB

Even as the fool walks along the road, his sense is lacking, and he shows everyone that he is a fool.

1 Samuel 25:17 · BSB

Now consider carefully what you must do, because disaster looms over our master and all his household. For he is such a scoundrel that nobody can speak to him!”

1 Samuel 25:25 · BSB

My lord should pay no attention to this scoundrel Nabal, for he lives up to his name: His name means Fool, and folly accompanies him. I, your servant, did not see my lord’s young men whom you sent.

1 Samuel 25:10 · BSB

But Nabal asked them, “Who is David? Who is this son of Jesse? Many servants these days are breaking away from their masters.

1 Samuel 25:11 · BSB

Why should I take my bread and water and the meat I have slaughtered for my shearers, and give them to these men whose origin I do not know?”

Cross references adapted from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0) and the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

In context

15Good understanding wins favor, but the way of the faithless is difficult.

17A wicked messenger falls into trouble, but a faithful envoy brings healing.

Read Proverbs 13