An honest witness does not deceive,
but a dishonest witness utters lies.(A)

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A faithful witness does not lie,
    but he who breathes out falsehood is a witness of deceit.

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15 A gentle answer turns away anger,(A)
but a harsh word stirs up wrath.(B)

The tongue of the wise makes knowledge attractive,
but the mouth of fools blurts out foolishness.(C)

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15 A soft answer will turn away wrath,
    but a word of trouble will stir anger.[a]
The tongue of the wise will dispense knowledge,
    but the mouth of fools will pour out folly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:1 Literally “nostril”

The tongue that heals is a tree of life,(A)
but a devious tongue[a] breaks the spirit.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:4 Lit but crookedness in it

Gentleness[a] of tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it[b] causes a break in spirit.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:4 Or “Healing”
  2. Proverbs 15:4 That is, the tongue

The lips of the wise broadcast knowledge,
but not so the heart of fools.

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The lips of the wise will spread knowledge,
    but the heart[a] of fools, not so.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:7 Or “mind”

23 A man takes joy in giving an answer;[a]
and a timely word—how good that is!(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:23 Lit in an answer of his mouth

23 Joy belongs to a man with answers in his mouth,
    and a word in its time, how good it is!

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26 The Lord detests the plans of an evil man,
but pleasant words are pure.(A)

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26 Plans of evil are an abomination of Yahweh,
    but gracious words are pure.

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28 The mind of the righteous person thinks before answering,(A)
but the mouth of the wicked blurts out evil things.(B)

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28 A heart[a] of righteousness will ponder the answer,
    but a mouth of wickedness will pour out deceit.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:28 Or “mind”

16 The reflections of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.(A)

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16 To mortals belong the plans of the heart,
    but from Yahweh comes the answer of the tongue.

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10 God’s verdict is on the lips of a king;[a](A)
his mouth should not give an unfair judgment.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:10 Or A divination is on the lips of a king

10 A decision is upon the lips of a king;
    in judgment his mouth will not sin.

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13 Righteous lips are a king’s delight,
and he loves one who speaks honestly.

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13 The delight of kings are the lips of righteousness,
    and he who speaks what is upright he will love.

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21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech[a] increases learning.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Lit and sweetness of lips

21 The wise of heart[a] is called perceptive,
    but he who is pleasant of lips will increase persuasiveness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Or “mind”