A true witness never lies;
    a false witness makes a business of it.

Cynics look high and low for wisdom—and never find it;
    the open-minded find it right on their doorstep!

Escape quickly from the company of fools;
    they’re a waste of your time, a waste of your words.

The wisdom of the wise keeps life on track;
    the foolishness of fools lands them in the ditch.

The stupid ridicule right and wrong,
    but a moral life is a favored life.

10 The person who shuns the bitter moments of friends
    will be an outsider at their celebrations.

11 Lives of careless wrongdoing are run-down shacks;
    holy living builds soaring cathedrals.

12-13 There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough;
    look again—it leads straight to hell.
Sure, those people appear to be having a good time,
    but all that laughter will end in heartbreak.

Sift and Weigh Every Word

14 A mean person gets paid back in meanness,
    a gracious person in grace.

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An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.(A)

The mocker seeks wisdom and finds none,
    but knowledge comes easily to the discerning.(B)

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways,(C)
    but the folly of fools is deception.(D)

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

11 The house of the wicked will be destroyed,(E)
    but the tent of the upright will flourish.(F)

12 There is a way that appears to be right,(G)
    but in the end it leads to death.(H)

13 Even in laughter(I) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

14 The faithless will be fully repaid for their ways,(J)
    and the good rewarded for theirs.(K)

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