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10 The heart knows its own (A)bitterness,
And a stranger does not share its gladness.

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10 The heart knows its own bitterness—
    an outsider cannot share in its joy.

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13 Even in laughter the heart may be in pain,
And the (A)end of joy may be grief.

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13 Even in laughter there may be heartache,
    and at the end of joy there may be grief.

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13 A (A)glad heart makes a face look good,
But [a]when the heart is (B)pained, the (C)spirit is broken.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:13 Lit in sadness of heart

13 A happy heart enlightens the face,
    but a sad heart reflects a broken spirit.

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22 A (A)glad heart [a]is good medicine,
But a broken spirit (B)dries up the bones.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:22 Lit causes good healing

22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a broken spirit drains one’s strength.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:22 Lit. spirit dries the bones

14 The (A)spirit of a man can endure his sickness,
But as for a (B)broken spirit, who can bear it?

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14 A man’s spirit can sustain him during his illness,
    but who can bear a crushed spirit?

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20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on [a]soda,
Is he who sings songs to [b]an aching heart.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:20 Or natron
  2. Proverbs 25:20 Lit an evil

20 Taking your coat off when it’s cold
    or pouring vinegar on soda—
        that’s what singing songs does to a heavy heart.

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11 (A)Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad,
That I may (B)respond with a word to him who reproaches me.

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11 Be wise, my son, and make me happy,
    so I can reply to anyone who insults me.

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By transgression an evil man is (A)ensnared,
But the righteous (B)sings with joy and is glad.

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The Wicked and Righteous Contrasted

An evil man is trapped by transgression,
    but the righteous person sings and rejoices.

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