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19 Too much talk leads to sin.
    Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.

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19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
    but the prudent are restrained in speech.(A)

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

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23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
    but fools broadcast their foolishness.

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23 One who is clever conceals knowledge,
    but the mind of a fool[a] broadcasts folly.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 12.23 Heb the heart of fools

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,(A)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.(B)

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Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
    opening your mouth can ruin everything.

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Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives;
    those who open wide their lips come to ruin.(A)

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Those who guard their lips(A) preserve their lives,(B)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(C)

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28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;
    with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

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28 Even fools who keep silent are considered wise;
    when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.(A)

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28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
    and discerning if they hold their tongues.(A)

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13 Spouting off before listening to the facts
    is both shameful and foolish.

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13 If one gives answer before hearing,
    it is folly and shame.(A)

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

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23 Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut,
    and you will stay out of trouble.

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23 To watch over mouth and tongue
    is to keep out of trouble.(A)

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23 Those who guard their mouths(A) and their tongues
    keep themselves from calamity.(B)

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