23 The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
it adds learning to his speech.[a](A)

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:(B)
sweet to the taste[b] and health to the body.[c](C)

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Footnotes

  1. 16:23 Lit learning upon his lips
  2. 16:24 Lit throat
  3. 16:24 Lit bones

23 A wise person’s thoughts[a] control his words,
    and his speech promotes instruction.
24 Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb—
    sweet to the soul and healing for the body.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:23 Lit. heart
  2. Proverbs 16:24 Lit. bone

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(A)
    and their lips promote instruction.[a](B)

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive

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

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27 A worthless person concocts evil gossip[a]
    his lips are like a burning fire.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:27 The Heb. lacks gossip

27 A scoundrel(A) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(B)

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The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,(A)
and one who rejoices over calamity
will not go unpunished.(B)

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Whoever mocks the poor shows contempt for their maker,
    and whoever is happy about disaster
        will not go unpunished.

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Whoever mocks the poor(A) shows contempt for their Maker;(B)
    whoever gloats over disaster(C) will not go unpunished.(D)

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Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.

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Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool;
    how much more are deceitful statements[a] with a prince!

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:7 Lit. lips

Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
    how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(A)

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

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Anyone who overlooks[a] an offense promotes love,
    but someone who gossips separates close friends.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:9 Lit. covers

Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,(A)
    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.(B)

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27 The one who has knowledge restrains his words,(A)
and one who keeps a cool head[a]
is a person of understanding.

28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent—
discerning, when he seals his lips.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 17:27 Lit spirit

27 Whoever controls what he says is knowledgeable;
    anyone who has a calm spirit is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool is thought to be wise when he remains silent;
    he is thought to be prudent when he keeps his mouth shut.

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27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(A)
    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(B)

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

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The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters,(A)
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 18:4 Or waters; a fountain of wisdom is a flowing river

The words a man says are as deep waters—
    a fountain of wisdom is an overflowing stream.

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The words of the mouth are deep waters,(A)
    but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream.

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13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.(A)

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13 Whoever answers before listening
    is both foolish and shameful.

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

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17 The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.(A)

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17 The first to put forth his case seems right,
    until someone else steps forward and cross-examines him.

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17 In a lawsuit the first to speak seems right,
    until someone comes forward and cross-examines.

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