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Blessings are on the head of the righteous,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(A)
The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
    but the name of the wicked will rot.(B)
The wise of heart will heed commandments,
    but one with foolish lips will come to ruin.(C)
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
    but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out.(D)
10 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
    but one who rebukes boldly makes peace.[a](E)
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(F)
12 Hatred stirs up strife,
    but love covers all offenses.(G)
13 On the lips of one who has understanding wisdom is found,
    but a rod is for the back of one who lacks sense.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 10.10 Gk: Heb but one with foolish lips will come to ruin

The Righteous and Wicked Compared

Blessings come[a] upon the head of the righteous,
    but the words[b] of the wicked conceal violence.
The reputation[c] of the righteous leads to blessing,
    but the name of the wicked will rot.
The wise person[d] accepts commands,
    but the chattering fool will be brought down.

Whoever walks in integrity lives prudently,[e]
    but whoever perverts his way of life will be exposed.
10 Those who wink their eyes[f] are trouble makers,
    and the mocking fool will be brought down.[g]

11 What the righteous say[h] is a flowing fountain,[i]
    but what the wicked say[j] conceals violence.
12 Hatred awakens contention,
    but love covers all transgressions.
13 Wisdom characterizes the speech[k] of the discerning,
    but the rod is for the backs of those lacking discernment.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:6 The Heb. lacks come
  2. Proverbs 10:6 Lit. mouth
  3. Proverbs 10:7 Lit. memorial
  4. Proverbs 10:8 Lit. wise in heart
  5. Proverbs 10:9 Lit. lives in safety
  6. Proverbs 10:10 I.e. Those whose looks communicate insincerity
  7. Proverbs 10:10 So MT; LXX reads makers, but the one who reproves publicly makes peace
  8. Proverbs 10:11 Lit. The mouth of the righteous
  9. Proverbs 10:11 Lit. a fountain of life
  10. Proverbs 10:11 Lit. but the mouth of the wicked
  11. Proverbs 10:13 Lit. Wisdom is found on the lips

18 Lying lips conceal hatred,
    and whoever utters slander is a fool.

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18 Whoever conceals hatred is a deceitful liar,
    and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

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13 A gossip goes about telling secrets,
    but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence.(A)

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13 Whoever spreads gossip betrays secrets,
    but the trustworthy person[a] keeps a confidence.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:13 Lit. trustworthy in spirit

The thoughts of the righteous are just;
    the advice of the wicked is treacherous.
The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,
    but the speech of the upright delivers them.(A)

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The plans of the righteous are just,
    but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.

The words of the wicked lead to[a] bloodshed,
    but the speech of the upright delivers them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:6 Lit. wicked lie in wait for

13 The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,
    but the righteous escape from trouble.(A)

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13 An evil man’s sinful speech ensnares him,
    but the righteous person escapes from trouble.

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15 Fools think their own way is right,
    but the wise listen to advice.(A)
16 Fools show their anger at once,
    but the prudent ignore an insult.(B)
17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
    but a false witness speaks deceitfully.(C)
18 Rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(D)

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15 The lifestyle of the fool is right in his own opinion,
    but wise is the man who listens to advice.
16 The anger of a fool becomes readily apparent,
    but the prudent person overlooks an insult.

17 The truth teller speaks what is right,
    but the false witness speaks what is[a] deceitful.
18 Some speak rashly like the cutting of a sword,
    but what the wise say promotes healing.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:17 The Heb. lacks speaks what is

20 Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,
    but those who counsel peace have joy.(A)
21 No harm happens to the righteous,
    but the wicked are filled with trouble.(B)

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20 Deceit is at home[a] in the heart of those who plan evil,
    but those who promote peace rejoice.

21 No harm overwhelms the righteous,
    but the wicked overflow with trouble.

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  1. Proverbs 12:20 The Heb. lacks at home

23 One who is clever conceals knowledge,
    but the mind of a fool[a] broadcasts folly.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 12.23 Heb the heart of fools

23 A prudent man keeps what he knows to himself,[a]
    but the hearts of fools shout forth their foolishness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:23 The Heb. lacks to himself

Some pretend to be rich yet have nothing;
    others pretend to be poor yet have great wealth.(A)

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One person pretends to be wealthy, but has nothing;
    another pretends to be poor, yet is rich.

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16 The clever do all things intelligently,
    but the fool displays folly.(A)
17 A bad messenger brings trouble,
    but a faithful envoy, healing.(B)

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16 Every sensible person acts from knowledge,
    but a fool demonstrates folly.
17 An evil messenger stumbles into trouble,
    but a faithful envoy brings healing.

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It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go,
    but the folly of fools misleads.(A)

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The wisdom of the prudent helps him know how to live,
    but a fool’s stupidity deceives him.

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16 The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,
    but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.(A)

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16 The wise person fears and turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and overconfident.

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