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11 What the righteous say[a] is a flowing fountain,[b]
    but what the wicked say[c] conceals violence.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:11 Lit. The mouth of the righteous
  2. Proverbs 10:11 Lit. a fountain of life
  3. Proverbs 10:11 Lit. but the mouth of the wicked

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(A)
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(B)

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A gentle statement[a] is a tree of life,
    but perverted speech shatters the spirit.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:4 Lit. tongue

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

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23 An appropriate answer brings joy to a person,
    and a well-timed word is a good thing.

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23 A person finds joy in giving an apt reply(A)
    and how good is a timely word!(B)

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23 A wise person’s thoughts[a] control his words,
    and his speech promotes instruction.
24 Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb—
    sweet to the soul and healing for the body.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:23 Lit. heart
  2. Proverbs 16:24 Lit. bone

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

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,(C)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.(D)

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Footnotes

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

The words a man says are as deep waters—
    a fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.

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The words of the mouth are deep waters,(A)
    but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

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21 The power of the tongue is life and death—
    those who love to talk[a] will eat what it produces.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:21 Lit. love it

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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23 A clay vessel plated with a thin veneer of silver—
    that’s what smooth[a] lips with a wicked heart are.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:23 So LXX; MT reads burning

23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
    are fervent[a] lips with an evil heart.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:23 Hebrew; Septuagint smooth