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12 Words spoken by the wise bring them favor,
    but the lips of fools consume them.(A)

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Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer everyone.(A)

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The tongue of the wise adorns knowledge,
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.(A)

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22 All spoke well of him and were amazed at the gracious words that came from his mouth. They said, “Is this not Joseph’s son?”(A)

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11 Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech
    will have the king as a friend.(A)

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29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up,[a] as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.

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Footnotes

  1. 4.29 Other ancient authorities read building up faith

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
    the mind of the wicked is of little worth.(A)
21 The lips of the righteous feed many,
    but fools die for lack of sense.

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13 On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found,
    but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense.(A)
14 The wise lay up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

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Sayings of the Wise

17     The words of the wise:

Incline your ear and hear my words[a]
    and apply your mind to my teaching,
18 for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you,
    if all of them are ready on your lips.

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Footnotes

  1. 22.17 Cn Compare Gk: Heb Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise

31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
    but the perverse tongue will be cut off.(A)
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
    but the mouth of the wicked what is perverse.

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22 He said to him, ‘I will judge you by your own words, you wicked slave! You knew, did you, that I was a harsh man, taking what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow?(A)

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35 The good person brings good things out of a good treasure, and the evil person brings evil things out of an evil treasure.

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26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.(A)

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Like a thornbush brandished by the hand of a drunkard
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(A)

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11 A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.(A)
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.(B)

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A false witness will not go unpunished,
    and a liar will not escape.(A)

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A fool’s lips bring strife,
    and a fool’s mouth invites a flogging.
The mouths of fools are their ruin,
    and their lips a snare to themselves.(A)
The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels;
    they go down into the inner parts of the body.(B)

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21 The wise of heart is called perceptive,
    and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,
    but folly is the punishment of fools.(A)
23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

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23 To make an apt answer is a joy to anyone,
    and a word in season, how good it is!(A)

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18 Rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(A)

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13 The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,
    but the righteous escape from trouble.(A)
14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,
    and manual labor has its reward.(B)

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10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
    but one who rebukes boldly makes peace.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 10.10 Gk: Heb but one with foolish lips will come to ruin

The wise of heart will heed commandments,
    but one with foolish lips will come to ruin.(A)

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Those who surround me lift up their heads;[a]
    let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them!(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 140.9 Cn: Heb those who surround me are uplifted in head

15 My mouth will tell of your righteous acts,
    of your deeds of salvation all day long,
    though their number is past my knowledge.(A)
16 I will come praising the mighty deeds of the Lord God;
    I will praise your righteousness, yours alone.(B)

17 O God, from my youth you have taught me,
    and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.(C)
18 So even to old age and gray hairs,
    O God, do not forsake me,
until I proclaim your might
    to all the generations to come.[a]
Your power(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 71.18 Gk Compare Syr: Heb to a generation, to all who come