With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors,
    but through knowledge the righteous escape.(A)

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With their words, the godless destroy their friends,
    but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

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The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.(A)

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

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27 A scoundrel(A) plots evil,
    and on their lips it is like a scorching fire.(B)

28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(C)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(D)

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27 Scoundrels create trouble;
    their words are a destructive blaze.

28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;
    gossip separates the best of friends.

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Whoever mocks the poor(A) shows contempt for their Maker;(B)
    whoever gloats over disaster(C) will not go unpunished.(D)

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Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;
    those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

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Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,(A)
    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.(B)

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Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
    but dwelling on it separates close friends.

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The lips of fools bring them strife,
    and their mouths invite a beating.(A)

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Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels;
    they are asking for a beating.

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The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.(A)

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Rumors are dainty morsels
    that sink deep into one’s heart.

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19 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than a fool whose lips are perverse.(A)

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19 Better to be poor and honest
    than to be dishonest and a fool.

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19 A gossip betrays a confidence;(A)
    so avoid anyone who talks too much.

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19 A gossip goes around telling secrets,
    so don’t hang around with chatterers.

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10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
    quarrels and insults are ended.(A)

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10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
    Quarrels and insults will disappear.

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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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When arguing with your neighbor,
    don’t betray another person’s secret.
10 Others may accuse you of gossip,
    and you will never regain your good reputation.

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23 Like a north wind that brings unexpected rain
    is a sly tongue—which provokes a horrified look.

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23 As surely as a north wind brings rain,
    so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

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20 Without wood a fire goes out;
    without a gossip a quarrel dies down.(A)
21 As charcoal to embers and as wood to fire,
    so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.(B)
22 The words of a gossip are like choice morsels;
    they go down to the inmost parts.(C)

23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
    are fervent[a] lips with an evil heart.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:23 Hebrew; Septuagint smooth

20 Fire goes out without wood,
    and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

21 A quarrelsome person starts fights
    as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

22 Rumors are dainty morsels
    that sink deep into one’s heart.

23 Smooth[a] words may hide a wicked heart,
    just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.

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Footnotes

  1. 26:23 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads Burning.