26 One who gives [a]a right answer
Kisses the lips.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:26 Or an honest

26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss of friendship.

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Do not go out (A)hastily to [a]argue your case;
[b]Otherwise, what will you do in [c]the end,
When your neighbor humiliates you?
[d](B)Argue your case with your neighbor,
And (C)do not reveal the secret of another,
10 Or one who hears it will put you to shame,
And the evil report about you will not [e]pass away.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:8 Lit contend
  2. Proverbs 25:8 Lit Lest
  3. Proverbs 25:8 Lit its
  4. Proverbs 25:9 Lit Contend
  5. Proverbs 25:10 Lit return

    don’t be in a hurry to go to court.
For what will you do in the end
    if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?

When arguing with your neighbor,
    don’t betray another person’s secret.
10 Others may accuse you of gossip,
    and you will never regain your good reputation.

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11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,
Is a (A)word spoken at [a]the proper time.
12 Like [b]an (B)earring of gold and a (C)jewelry piece of (D)fine gold,
Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a (E)listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the [c]time of harvest
Is a (F)faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like (G)clouds and (H)wind without rain
Is a person who boasts [d]of his gifts falsely.
15 Through [e](I)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks bone.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:11 Lit its time
  2. Proverbs 25:12 Or a nose ring
  3. Proverbs 25:13 Lit day
  4. Proverbs 25:14 Lit in a gift of falsehood
  5. Proverbs 25:15 Lit length of anger

11 Timely advice is lovely,
    like golden apples in a silver basket.

12 To one who listens, valid criticism
    is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.
    They revive the spirit of their employer.

14 A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it
    is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

15 Patience can persuade a prince,
    and soft speech can break bones.

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20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on [a]soda,
Is one who sings songs to [b]a troubled heart.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:20 I.e., natron
  2. Proverbs 25:20 Lit an evil

20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart
    is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather
    or pouring vinegar in a wound.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 25:20 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads pouring vinegar on soda.

(A)Do not answer a fool [a]according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
(B)Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be (C)wise in his own eyes.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:4 I.e., taking his question or argument seriously

Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools,
    or you will become as foolish as they are.

Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools,
    or they will become wise in their own estimation.

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17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears,
So is one who passes by and [a]meddles with (A)strife not belonging to him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:17 Lit infuriates himself

17 Interfering in someone else’s argument
    is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.

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18 Like a maniac who shoots
(A)Flaming arrows, arrows, and death,
19 So is a person who (B)deceives his neighbor,
And says, “(C)Was I not joking?”

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18 Just as damaging
    as a madman shooting a deadly weapon
19 is someone who lies to a friend
    and then says, “I was only joking.”

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23 One who (A)rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
Than one who (B)flatters with the tongue.

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23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
    far more than flattery.

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20 Do you see a person who is (A)hasty with his words?
There is (B)more hope for a fool than for him.

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20 There is more hope for a fool
    than for someone who speaks without thinking.

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