23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and (A)a word in season, how good it is!

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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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21 The wise of heart is called discerning,
    and sweetness of speech (A)increases persuasiveness.

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21 The wise-hearted person is told to be discerning,
    and that pleasant speech promotes instruction.

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21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive

24 (A)Gracious words are like (B)a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and (C)health to the body.

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24 Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb—
    sweet to the soul and healing for the body.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:24 Lit. bone

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

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11 (A)A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.

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11 Like golden apples set in silver
    is a word spoken at the right time.

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11 Like apples[a] of gold in settings of silver(A)
    is a ruling rightly given.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots

14 Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice,
    rising early in the morning,
    will be counted as cursing.

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14 A friend’s loud blessing early in the morning
    will be thought of as a curse.

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14 If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
    it will be taken as a curse.

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