18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips(A)
    and spreads slander is a fool.

19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
    but the prudent hold their tongues.(B)

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18 He that hideth hatred with lying lips, and he that uttereth a slander, is a fool.

19 In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.

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31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,(A)
    but a perverse tongue(B) will be silenced.

32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,(C)
    but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.(D)

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31 The mouth of the just bringeth forth wisdom: but the froward tongue shall be cut out.

32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

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13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(A)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.(B)

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(C)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.(D)

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13 The wicked is snared by the transgression of his lips: but the just shall come out of trouble.

14 A man shall be satisfied with good by the fruit of his mouth: and the recompence of a man's hands shall be rendered unto him.

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17 An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.(A)

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,(B)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(C)

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17 He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit.

18 There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

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15 A gentle answer(A) turns away wrath,(B)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

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15 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.

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The soothing tongue(A) is a tree of life,(B)
    but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.(C)

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A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.

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23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(A)
    and their lips promote instruction.[a](B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive

23 The heart of the wise teacheth his mouth, and addeth learning to his lips.

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

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28 A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends.

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13 To answer before listening—
    that is folly and shame.(A)

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13 He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

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21 The tongue has the power of life and death,(A)
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.(B)

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21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.

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26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.

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26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

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11 Like apples[a] of gold in settings of silver(A)
    is a ruling rightly given.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

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15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,(A)
    and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(B)

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15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

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