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Be careful about what you say

20 My son, pay attention to my words.
    Bend your ear to my speech.
21 Don’t let them slip from your sight.
    Guard them in your mind.

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20 My son,(A) pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.(B)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,(C)
    keep them within your heart;

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23 More than anything you guard, protect your mind, for life flows from it.

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23 Above all else, guard(A) your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.(B)

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20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
    but the heart of the wicked lacks value.

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20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

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20 Deceit is in the heart of those who plan evil,
    but there is joy for those who advise peace.

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20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
    but those who promote peace have joy.(A)

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13 A joyful heart brightens one’s face,
    but a troubled heart breaks the spirit.

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13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(A)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(B)

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15 All the days of the needy are hard,
    but a happy heart has a continual feast.

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15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(A)

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30 Bright eyes give joy to the heart;
    good news strengthens the bones.

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30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.(A)

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16 To people belong the plans of the heart,
    but the answer of the tongue comes from the Lord.
All the ways of people
are pure in their eyes,
    but the Lord tests the motives.

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16 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
    but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.(A)

All a person’s ways seem pure to them,(B)
    but motives are weighed(C) by the Lord.(D)

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The Lord detests all who are arrogant;
    they surely won’t go unpunished.

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The Lord detests all the proud of heart.(A)
    Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.(B)

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21 The skilled mind is called discerning,
    and pleasant speech enhances teaching.
22 One who has insight is a fountain of life,
    but the instruction of the foolish is folly.
23 The mind of the wise makes their speech insightful
    and enhances the teaching of their lips.

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21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.[a](A)

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(B)
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(C)
    and their lips promote instruction.[b](D)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
  2. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive

A crucible is for silver and a furnace for gold,
    but the Lord tests the heart.

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The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,(A)
    but the Lord tests the heart.(B)

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22 A joyful heart helps healing,
    but a broken spirit dries up the bones.

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22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed(A) spirit dries up the bones.(B)

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