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Words well-set together beseem not a fool; and a lying lip becometh not a prince. (Words put together well become not a fool; and lies become not a leader.)

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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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He that covereth trespass, seeketh friendships; he that rehearseth by an high word (but he who remembereth a wrong), separateth them that (should) be knit together in peace.

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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 He that measureth his words, is wise and prudent; and a learned man is of precious spirit. (He who measureth his words, is wise and prudent; and a learned person hath a precious spirit.)

28 Also a fool, if he is still, shall be guessed a wise man (Even a fool, if he is silent, shall be thought to be wise); and, if he presseth together his lips, he is guessed an understanding man.

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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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Deep water is the words of the mouth of a man; and a strand floating over is the well of wisdom. (Words from a person’s mouth can be like deep water/can be as deep as the water; and the well of wisdom is like a stream flowing over.)

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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 that answereth before that he heareth, showeth himself to be a fool; and worthy of shame.

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

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17 A just man is the first accuser of himself; his friend cometh, and shall search him. (He who is the first to speak for a cause seemeth right; but then his opponent shall come, and shall search him out.)

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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 man’s womb shall be [ful]filled of the fruit of his mouth (A man’s belly shall be fulfilled, or satisfied, by the fruit of his mouth); and the seeds of his lips shall fill him.

21 Death and life be in the works of [the] tongue; they that love it, shall eat the fruits thereof (they who nurture it, shall eat its fruits).

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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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It is honour to a man that separateth himself from strivings; but fond men be meddled with despisings. (It is honourable for someone to separate himself from strife, or from arguments; but the foolish shall mix, or mingle, themselves in with arguments.)

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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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It is honour to a man that separateth himself from strivings; but fond men be meddled with despisings. (It is honourable for someone to separate himself from strife, or from arguments; but the foolish shall mix, or mingle, themselves in with arguments.)

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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 He that loveth the cleanness of heart, shall have the king (for) a friend, for the grace of his lips (for the eloquence of his words).

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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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Speak thou not in the ears of unwise men (Speak thou not in the ears of the unwise); for they shall despise the teaching of thy speech.

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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 that answereth (with) rightful words, shall kiss lips. (Lips shall kiss him, who answereth with upright words.)

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

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Bring thou not forth soon those things in strife, which thine eyes saw; lest afterward thou mayest not amend, when thou hast made thy friend unhonest. (Bring thou not soon forth those things in strife, or an argument, which thine eyes saw; lest afterward thou cannot correct it, when thou hast dishonoured thy friend.)

Treat thy cause with thy friend, and show thou not (a) private (matter) to a strange man;

10 lest peradventure he have joy of thy fall (lest perhaps he have joy over thy fall), when he hath heard (of it), and cease not to do shame to thee.

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    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