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A trustworthy witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness spews lies.

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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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How to Live Wisely

15 A gentle response diverts anger,
but a harsh statement incites fury.
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

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”

A gentle statement[a] is a tree of life,
    but perverted speech shatters the spirit.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:4 Lit. tongue

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

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

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 An appropriate answer brings joy to a person,
    and a well-timed word is a good thing.

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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 To the Lord evil plans are detestable,
    but pleasant words are pure.

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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 thinks before speaking,
    but the wicked person spews out evil.

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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”

Wisdom’s Blessings

16 People do the planning,[a]
but the end result[b] is from the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:1 Lit. Preparations of the heart belong to human beings
  2. Proverbs 16:1 Or the response of the tongue

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

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10 When a king is ready to speak officially,[a]
    what he says should not err with respect to justice.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:10 Lit. king speaks an oracle

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

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13 Kings take pleasure in righteous speech;
    they treasure a person who speaks what is upright.

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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 The wise-hearted person is told to be discerning,
    and that pleasant speech promotes instruction.

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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”