Excellent speech is not becoming to a fool,
Much less lying lips to a prince.

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

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(A)He who covers a transgression seeks love,
But (B)he who repeats a matter separates friends.

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

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27 (A)He who has knowledge spares his words,
And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
28 (B)Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace;
When he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive.

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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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(A)The words of a man’s mouth are deep waters;
(B)The wellspring of wisdom is a flowing brook.

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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 He who answers a matter before he hears it,
It is folly and shame to him.

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

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17 The first one to plead his cause seems right,
Until his neighbor comes and 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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20 (A)A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth;
From the produce of his lips he shall be filled.

21 (B)Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit.

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20 From the fruit of their mouth a person’s stomach is filled;
    with the harvest of their lips they are satisfied.(A)

21 The tongue has the power of life and death,(B)
    and those who love it will eat its fruit.(C)

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(A)It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
Since any fool can start a quarrel.

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It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool(A) is quick to quarrel.(B)

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(A)It is honorable for a man to stop striving,
Since any fool can start a quarrel.

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It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool(A) is quick to quarrel.(B)

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11 (A)He who loves purity of heart
And has grace on his lips,
The king will be his friend.

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11 One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace
    will have the king for a friend.(A)

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(A)Do not speak in the hearing of a fool,
For he will despise the wisdom of your words.

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Saying 10

Do not speak to fools,
    for they will scorn your prudent words.(A)

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26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.

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26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.

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(A)Do not go hastily to [a]court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?
(B)Debate your case with your neighbor,
And do not disclose the secret to another;
10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
And [b]your reputation be ruined.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:8 Lit. contend or bring a lawsuit
  2. Proverbs 25:10 the evil report concerning you not pass away

    do not bring[a] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
    if your neighbor puts you to shame?(A)

If you take your neighbor to court,
    do not betray another’s confidence,
10 or the one who hears it may shame you
    and the charge against you will stand.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / Do not go