16 All who are prudent act with[a] knowledge,
    but fools expose(A) their folly.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:16 Or prudent protect themselves through

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

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18 The simple inherit folly,
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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33 Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning(A)
    and even among fools she lets herself be known.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:33 Hebrew; Septuagint and Syriac discerning / but in the heart of fools she is not known

14 The discerning heart seeks knowledge,(A)
    but the mouth of a fool feeds on folly.

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21 Folly brings joy to one who has no sense,(A)
    but whoever has understanding keeps a straight course.

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21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(A)
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

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24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
    but a fool’s eyes(A) wander to the ends of the earth.

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Fools find no pleasure in understanding
    but delight in airing their own opinions.(A)

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15 The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge,(A)
    for the ears of the wise seek it out.

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Saying 21

By wisdom a house is built,(A)
    and through understanding it is established;
through knowledge its rooms are filled
    with rare and beautiful treasures.(B)

Saying 22

The wise prevail through great power,
    and those who have knowledge muster their strength.
Surely you need guidance to wage war,
    and victory is won through many advisers.(C)

Saying 23

Wisdom is too high for fools;
    in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.

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27 Her house is a highway to the grave,
    leading down to the chambers of death.(A)

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Sending a message by the hands of a fool(A)
    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
Like the useless legs of one who is lame
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(B)
Like tying a stone in a sling
    is the giving of honor to a fool.(C)
Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(D)
10 Like an archer who wounds at random
    is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,(E)
    so fools repeat their folly.(F)

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Evildoers do not understand what is right,
    but those who seek the Lord understand it fully.

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