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Don’t speak in the ears of a fool,
    for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

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

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Saying 10

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

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12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
    so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.

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12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.(A)

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12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
    is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.(A)

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Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.
The wounds of a friend are faithful,
    although the kisses of an enemy are profuse.

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Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.(A)
Well meant are the wounds a friend inflicts,
    but profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

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Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.(A)

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17 Iron sharpens iron;
    so a man sharpens his friend’s countenance.

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17 Iron sharpens iron,
    and one person sharpens the wits[a] of another.

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Footnotes

  1. 27.17 Heb face

17 As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.

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29 He who is often rebuked and stiffens his neck
    will be destroyed suddenly, with no remedy.

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29 One who is often reproved, yet remains stubborn,
    will suddenly be broken beyond healing.(A)

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29 Whoever remains stiff-necked(A) after many rebukes
    will suddenly be destroyed(B)—without remedy.(C)

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