Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(A)

The remembrance of the righteous is a blessing,
but the name of the wicked will rot.(B)

A wise heart accepts commands,(C)
but foolish lips will be destroyed.

The one who lives with integrity lives securely,(D)
but whoever perverts his ways will be found out.(E)

10 A sly wink of the eye(F) causes grief,
and foolish lips will be destroyed.

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

12 Hatred stirs up conflicts,
but love covers all offenses.(I)

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.(J)

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18 The one who conceals hatred has lying lips,
and whoever spreads slander is a fool.(A)

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13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.(A)

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The thoughts of the righteous are just,
but guidance from the wicked leads to deceit.

The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,(A)
but the speech of the upright rescues them.(B)

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13 An evil man is trapped by his rebellious speech,(A)
but a righteous one escapes from trouble.(B)

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15 A fool’s way is right in his own eyes,(A)
but whoever listens to counsel is wise.

16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(B)

17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness, deceit.(C)

18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(D)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(E)

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20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(A)

21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,(B)
but the wicked are full of misery.

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23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(A)

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One man pretends to be rich but has nothing;(A)
another pretends to be poor but has great wealth.(B)

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16 Every sensible person acts knowledgeably,
but a fool displays his stupidity.(A)

17 A wicked messenger falls into trouble,
but a trustworthy courier brings healing.(B)

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The sensible man’s wisdom is to consider his way,
but the stupidity of fools deceives them.

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16 A wise man is cautious and turns from evil,(A)
but a fool is easily angered and is careless.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:16 Or and falls

27 A worthless man digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.(A)

28 A contrary man spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.(B)

29 A violent man lures his neighbor,(C)
leading him in a way that is not good.(D)

30 The one who narrows his eyes is planning deceptions;
the one who compresses his lips brings about evil.(E)

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A wicked person listens to malicious talk;[a]
a liar pays attention to a destructive tongue.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:4 Lit to lips of iniquity

Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,(A)
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.(B)

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19 One who loves to offend loves strife;(A)
one who builds a high threshold invites injury.

20 One with a twisted mind will not succeed,
and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.(B)

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24 Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,
but a fool’s eyes(A) roam to the ends of the earth.

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18 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound judgment.

A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:2 Lit to uncover his heart

23 The poor man pleads,(A)
but the rich one answers roughly.(B)

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Wealth attracts many friends,(A)
but a poor man is separated from his friend.

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Many seek a ruler’s favor,(A)
and everyone is a friend of one who gives gifts.(B)

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Many a man proclaims his own loyalty,
but who can find a trustworthy man?(A)

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A king sitting on a throne to judge
sifts out all evil with his eyes.(A)

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14 “It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,
but after he is on his way, he gloats.

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19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;(A)
avoid someone with a big mouth.(B)

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