A fool's lips walk into a fight,
    and his mouth invites (A)a beating.

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The lips of fools bring them strife,
    and their mouths invite a beating.(A)

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A stone is heavy, and sand is weighty,
    but (A)a fool's provocation is heavier than both.

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Stone is heavy and sand(A) a burden,
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

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24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
    nor go with a wrathful man,
25 lest you learn his ways
    and entangle yourself in a snare.

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Saying 3

24 Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
    do not associate with one easily angered,
25 or you may learn their ways
    and get yourself ensnared.(A)

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27 (A)A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech[a] is like (B)a scorching fire.
28 (C)A dishonest man spreads strife,
    and (D)a whisperer (E)separates close friends.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:27 Hebrew what is on his lips

27 A scoundrel(A) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(B)

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(C)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(D)

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If a wise man has an argument with a fool,
    the fool only rages and laughs, and there is (A)no quiet.

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If a wise person goes to court with a fool,
    the fool rages and scoffs, and there is no peace.

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24 (A)It is better to live in a corner of the housetop
    than in a house shared with a quarrelsome wife.

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24 Better to live on a corner of the roof
    than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.(A)

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It is an honor for a man to (A)keep aloof from strife,
    but every fool will be quarreling.

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It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool(A) is quick to quarrel.(B)

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29 Condemnation is ready for (A)scoffers,
    and (B)beating for the backs of fools.

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29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
    and beatings for the backs of fools.(A)

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19 A man of great wrath will pay the penalty,
    for if you deliver him, you will only have to do it again.

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19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;
    rescue them, and you will have to do it again.

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14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
    so (A)quit before the quarrel breaks out.

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14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
    so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.(A)

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16 (A)One who is wise is cautious[a] and (B)turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and careless.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:16 Or fears [the Lord]

16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(A)
    but a fool(B) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

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By the mouth of a fool comes (A)a rod for his back,[a]
    (B)but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:3 Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride

A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(A)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(B)

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10 (A)By insolence comes nothing but strife,
    but with those who take advice is wisdom.

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10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(A)

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