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10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no stranger shares its joy.

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10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

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13 Even in laughter the heart is sad,
    and the end of joy is grief.(A)

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13 Even in laughter(A) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

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13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.(A)

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13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(A)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(B)

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22 A cheerful heart is a good medicine,
    but a downcast spirit dries up the bones.(A)

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22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed(A) spirit dries up the bones.(B)

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14 The human spirit will endure sickness,
    but a broken spirit—who can bear?

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14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
    but a crushed spirit who can bear?(A)

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20 Like vinegar on a wound[a]
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood,
    sorrow gnaws at the human heart.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 25.20 Gk: Heb Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, like vinegar on lye
  2. 25.20 Gk Syr Tg: Heb lacks Like a moth . . . human heart

20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
    or like vinegar poured on a wound,
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

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11 Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad,
    so that I may answer whoever reproaches me.(A)

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11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;(A)
    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.(B)

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In the transgression of the evil there is a snare,
    but the righteous sing and rejoice.

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Evildoers are snared by their own sin,(A)
    but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

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