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The talk of fools is a rod for their backs,[a]
    but the lips of the wise preserve them.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 14.3 Cn: Heb a rod of pride

What a fool says brings[a] a rod to his back,
    but the words of the wise protect them.

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  1. Proverbs 14:3 Lit. The mouth of the fool

It is the wisdom of the clever to understand where they go,
    but the folly of fools misleads.(A)

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The wisdom of the prudent helps him know how to live,
    but a fool’s stupidity deceives him.

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15 The simple believe everything,
    but the clever consider their steps.
16 The wise are cautious and turn away from evil,
    but the fool throws off restraint and is careless.(A)

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15 An unthinking person believes everything,
    but the prudent one thinks before acting.[a]
16 The wise person fears and turns away from evil,
    but a fool is reckless and overconfident.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:15 Lit. one considers his steps

18 The simple are adorned with[a] folly,
    but the clever are crowned with knowledge.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 14.18 Or inherit

18 The naïve inherit folly,
    but the careful are crowned with knowledge.

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24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but folly is the garland[a] of fools.

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Footnotes

  1. 14.24 Cn: Heb is the folly

24 The crown of the wise is their wealth,
    but the stupidity of fools is just that—stupidity!

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33 Wisdom is at home in the mind of one who has understanding,
    but it is not[a] known in the heart of fools.(A)

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  1. 14.33 Gk Syr: Heb lacks not

33 Wisdom is at rest in the mind of the discerning—
    even fools know this.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:33 So MT; LXX reads but in the heart of fools it is not discerned