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10 The heart knows its own bitterness and joy;
    he will not share these with a stranger.

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10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no outsider shares in its joy.

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13 Even in laughter the heart may be sorrowful,
    and mirth may end in heaviness.

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13 Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.(A)

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13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but an aching heart breaks the spirit.

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13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(A)

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22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

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22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.(A)

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14 A man’s spirit will sustain him in sickness,
    but a crushed spirit, who can bear?

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14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit?(A)

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20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
    or vinegar on soda,
    so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

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20 Singing songs to a troubled heart
is like taking off clothing on a cold day
or like pouring vinegar on soda.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 25:20 Lit natron, or sodium carbonate

11 Be wise, my son,
    and bring joy to my heart,
    then I can answer my tormentor.

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11 Be wise, my son, and bring my heart joy,(A)
so that I can answer anyone who taunts me.(B)

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An evil man is snared by his sin,
    but the righteous can sing and be glad.

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An evil person is caught by sin,(A)
but the righteous one sings and rejoices.(B)

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