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33 Wisdom is enshrined in an understanding heart;
    wisdom is not[a] found among fools.

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Footnotes

  1. 14:33 As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew 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

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,
    but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

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The wise speak, presenting[a] knowledge appropriately,
    but fools spout foolishness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:2 Lit. The tongues of the wise present

Only a fool despises a parent’s[a] discipline;
    whoever learns from correction is wise.

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Footnotes

  1. 15:5 Hebrew father’s.

A fool rejects his father’s instructions,
    but anyone who respects[a] reproof acts sensibly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:5 Lit. keeps

The lips of the wise give good advice;
    the heart of a fool has none to give.

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What the wise have to say disseminates[a] knowledge,
    but it’s not in the heart of fools to do so.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:7 Lit. The lips of the wise spread

14 A wise person is hungry for knowledge,
    while the fool feeds on trash.

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14 A discerning mind seeks knowledge,
    but the mouth of fools feeds on stupidity.

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22 Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,
    but discipline is wasted on fools.

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22 Anyone who has understanding is a fountain of life,
    but foolishness brings punishment to fools.

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Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool;
    even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

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Appropriate speech is inconsistent with the fool;
    how much more are deceitful statements[a] with a prince!

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:7 Lit. lips

10 A single rebuke does more for a person of understanding
    than a hundred lashes on the back of a fool.

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10 A rebuke is more effective with a man of understanding
    than a hundred lashes to a fool.

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12 It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs
    than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.

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12 It’s better to meet a mother bear who has lost her cubs
    than a fool in his stupidity.

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16 It is senseless to pay to educate a fool,
    since he has no heart for learning.

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16 What is this? A fool has enough money to buy wisdom,
    but is senseless?[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:16 Lit. but has no heart

21 It is painful to be the parent of a fool;
    there is no joy for the father of a rebel.

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21 The man who fathers a fool does so to his sorrow—
    the father of a fool has no joy.

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24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
    but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

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24 A person with understanding has wisdom as his objective,
    but a fool looks only[a] to earthly goals.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:24 The Heb. lacks only