23 Doing wrong is (A)like a joke to a fool,
    but (B)wisdom is pleasure to a man of understanding.

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23 It is like a sport for a fool to do wrong,
    wisdom for a person of understanding.

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12 Whoever (A)belittles his neighbor lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding remains silent.

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12 He who lacks sense[a] belittles his neighbor,
    but a person of intelligence will remain silent.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:12 Literally “heart”

21 (A)Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,
    but a man of understanding (B)walks straight ahead.

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21 Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense,[a]
    and a person of understanding will walk upright.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:21 Literally “heart”
  2. Proverbs 15:21 Literally “he will walk upright walking”

27 Whoever (A)restrains his words has knowledge,
    and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

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27 He who spares his sayings knows knowledge,
    and a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

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The purpose in a man's heart is like (A)deep water,
    but a man of understanding will draw it out.

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Deep waters are like purpose in the heart[a] of a man,
    and a man of understanding will draw it[b] out.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:5 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 20:5 Or “her”; referring to “purpose”