In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back,
But (A)the lips of the wise will protect them.

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A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
    but the words of the wise keep them safe.

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The wisdom of the sensible is to understand his way,
But (A)the foolishness of fools is deceit.

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The prudent understand where they are going,
    but fools deceive themselves.

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15 The naive believes everything,
But the sensible person considers his steps.
16 A wise person [a]is cautious and (A)turns away from evil,
But a fool is arrogant and careless.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:16 Lit fears

15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!
    The prudent carefully consider their steps.

16 The wise are cautious[a] and avoid danger;
    fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:16 Hebrew The wise fear.

18 The naive inherit foolishness,
But the sensible are crowned with knowledge.

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18 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,[a]
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:18 Or inherit foolishness.

24 The (A)crown of the wise is their riches,
But the foolishness of fools is simply foolishness.

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24 Wealth is a crown for the wise;
    the effort of fools yields only foolishness.

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33 Wisdom rests in the heart of one who has understanding,
But among fools it is made known.

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33 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart;
    wisdom is not[a] found among fools.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:33 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew lacks not.