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19 It is pleasant to see dreams come true,
    but fools refuse to turn from evil to attain them.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise;
    associate with fools and get in trouble.

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19 It is pleasant to see plans develop. That is why fools refuse to give them up even when they are wrong.

20 Be with wise men and become wise. Be with evil men and become evil.

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19 A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul,(A)
    but fools detest turning from evil.

20 Walk with the wise and become wise,
    for a companion of fools suffers harm.(B)

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Stay away from fools,
    for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

The prudent understand where they are going,
    but fools deceive themselves.

Fools make fun of guilt,
    but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.

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If you are looking for advice, stay away from fools.

The wise man looks ahead. The fool attempts to fool himself and won’t face facts.

The common bond of rebels is their guilt.[a] The common bond of godly people is goodwill.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:9 The common bond of rebels is their guilt, or “Fools make a mock at sin.” The Hebrew is obscure.

Stay away from a fool,
    for you will not find knowledge on their lips.

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

Fools mock at making amends for sin,
    but goodwill is found among the upright.

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16 The wise are cautious[a] and avoid danger;
    fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

17 Short-tempered people do foolish things,
    and schemers are hated.

18 Simpletons are clothed with foolishness,[b]
    but the prudent are crowned with knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:16 Hebrew The wise fear.
  2. 14:18 Or inherit foolishness.

16 A wise man is cautious and avoids danger; a fool plunges ahead with great confidence.

17 A short-tempered man is a fool. He hates the man who is patient.

18 The simpleton is crowned with folly; the wise man is crowned with knowledge.

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16 The wise fear the Lord and shun evil,(A)
    but a fool(B) is hotheaded and yet feels secure.

17 A quick-tempered person(C) does foolish things,(D)
    and the one who devises evil schemes is hated.(E)

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

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29 People with understanding control their anger;
    a hot temper shows great foolishness.

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29 A wise man controls his temper. He knows that anger causes mistakes.

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29 Whoever is patient has great understanding,(A)
    but one who is quick-tempered displays folly.(B)

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Only a fool despises a parent’s[a] discipline;
    whoever learns from correction is wise.

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Footnotes

  1. 15:5 Hebrew father’s.

Only a fool despises his father’s advice; a wise son considers each suggestion.

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A fool spurns a parent’s discipline,
    but whoever heeds correction shows prudence.(A)

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14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge,
    while the fool feeds on trash.

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14 A wise man is hungry for truth, while the mocker feeds on trash.

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

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10 A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding
    than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

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10 A rebuke to a man of common sense is more effective than a hundred lashes on the back of a rebel.

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10 A rebuke impresses a discerning person
    more than a hundred lashes a fool.

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16 It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,
    since he has no heart for learning.

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16 It is senseless to pay tuition to educate a rebel who has no heart for truth.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:16 no heart for truth, literally, “no heart.”

16 Why should fools have money in hand to buy wisdom,
    when they are not able to understand it?(A)

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24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
    but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

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24 Wisdom is the main pursuit of sensible men, but a fool’s goals are at the ends of the earth!

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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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