Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

15 A (A)gentle answer turns away wrath,
But a [a](B)harsh word stirs up anger.
The (C)tongue of the wise makes knowledge pleasant,
But the (D)mouth of fools spouts foolishness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:1 Lit painful

15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,[a]
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:2 Cn: Heb makes knowledge good

A [a]soothing tongue is a tree of life,
But perversion in it [b]crushes the spirit.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:4 Lit healing
  2. Proverbs 15:4 Lit is the crushing of the spirit

A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

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The lips of the wise spread knowledge,
But the hearts of fools are not so.

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The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    not so the minds of fools.

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23 A (A)person has joy in an [a]apt answer,
And how delightful is a timely (B)word!

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:23 Lit answer of his mouth

23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and a word in season, how good it is!

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26 Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord,
But pleasant words are pure.

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26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    the words of the pure are pleasing to him.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:26 Cn Compare Gk: Heb pleasant words are pure