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In the mouth of a fool is the rod of pride,
    but the lips of the wise preserve them.

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A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
    but the words of the wise keep them safe.

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Leave the presence of a foolish man,[a]
    for you will not come to know words of knowledge.[b]
The wisdom of the clever is understanding his ways,
    but the folly of fools is deceit.
Fools mock[c] the guilt offering,
    but among the upright, it is favorable.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:7 Literally “from the presence belonging to a man of foolishness”
  2. Proverbs 14:7 Literally “lips of knowledge”
  3. Proverbs 14:9 Hebrew “he mocks”

Stay away from fools,
    for you won’t find knowledge on their lips.

The prudent understand where they are going,
    but fools deceive themselves.

Fools make fun of guilt,
    but the godly acknowledge it and seek reconciliation.

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15 The simple will believe every word,
    but the clever will consider his step.
16 The wise is cautious and turns from evil,
    but the fool throws off restraint and is confident.
17 He who is short of temper[a] will act foolishly,
    and the man who schemes will be hated.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:17 Literally “nostril”

15 Only simpletons believe everything they’re told!
    The prudent carefully consider their steps.

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

17 Short-tempered people do foolish things,
    and schemers are hated.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:16 Hebrew The wise fear.