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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 godly are showered with blessings;
    the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

We have happy memories of the godly,
    but the name of a wicked person rots away.

The wise are glad to be instructed,
    but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

People with integrity walk safely,
    but those who follow crooked paths will be exposed.

10 People who wink at wrong cause trouble,
    but a bold reproof promotes peace.[a]

11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain;
    the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

12 Hatred stirs up quarrels,
    but love makes up for all offenses.

13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding,
    but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.

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Footnotes

  1. 10:10 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

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

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18 Hiding hatred makes you a liar;
    slandering others makes you 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 A gossip goes around telling secrets,
    but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

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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 godly are just;
    the advice of the wicked is treacherous.

The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
    but the words of the godly save lives.

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

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13 The wicked are trapped by their own words,
    but the godly escape such 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 Fools think their own way is right,
    but the wise listen to others.

16 A fool is quick-tempered,
    but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

17 An honest witness tells the truth;
    a false witness tells lies.

18 Some people make cutting remarks,
    but the words of the wise bring healing.

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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 fills hearts that are plotting evil;
    joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

21 No harm comes to the godly,
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

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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 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
    but fools broadcast their foolishness.

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

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Some who are poor pretend to be rich;
    others who are rich pretend to be poor.

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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 Wise people think before they act;
    fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness.

17 An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble,
    but a reliable messenger 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 prudent understand where they are going,
    but fools deceive themselves.

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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 are cautious[a] and avoid danger;
    fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:16 Hebrew The wise fear.