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

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26 Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

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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

Go not forth hastily to strive, lest thou know not what to do in the end thereof, when thy neighbour hath put thee to shame.

Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another:

10 Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away.

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11 Like apples[a] of gold in settings of silver(A)
    is a ruling rightly given.
12 Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold
    is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.(B)

13 Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time
    is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him;
    he refreshes the spirit of his master.(C)
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is one who boasts of gifts never given.

15 Through patience a ruler can be persuaded,(D)
    and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:11 Or possibly apricots

11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.

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

13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to them that send him: for he refresheth the soul of his masters.

14 Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

15 By long forbearing is a prince persuaded, and a soft tongue breaketh the bone.

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20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
    or like vinegar poured on a wound,
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

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20 As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart.

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Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
    or you yourself will be just like him.(A)
Answer a fool according to his folly,
    or he will be wise in his own eyes.(B)

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Answer not a fool according to his folly, lest thou also be like unto him.

Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own conceit.

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17 Like one who grabs a stray dog by the ears
    is someone who rushes into a quarrel not their own.

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17 He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears.

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18 Like a maniac shooting
    flaming arrows of death
19 is one who deceives their neighbor
    and says, “I was only joking!”

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18 As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death,

19 So is the man that deceiveth his neighbour, and saith, Am not I in sport?

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23 Whoever rebukes a person will in the end gain favor
    rather than one who has a flattering tongue.(A)

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23 He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.

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20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.(A)

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20 Seest thou a man that is hasty in his words? there is more hope of a fool than of him.

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