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

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How to Live Wisely

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

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18 Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife,
    but those who are slow to anger calm contention.(A)

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18 The quickly angered man stirs up contention,
    but anyone who controls his temper calms a dispute.

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32 One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty,
    and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city.(A)

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32 Whoever controls his temper is better than a warrior,
    and anyone who has control of his spirit is better
        than someone who captures a city.

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17 Better is a dry morsel with quiet
    than a house full of feasting with strife.(A)

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More Words of Wisdom

17 Dry crumbs in peace[a] are better
than a full meal[b] with strife.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:1 Lit. quiet
  2. Proverbs 17:1 Lit. house full of meat

14 The beginning of strife is like letting out water,
    so stop before the quarrel breaks out.(A)

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14 Starting a quarrel is like spilling water—
    so drop the dispute before it escalates.

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19 One who loves transgression loves strife;
    one who builds a high threshold invites broken bones.(A)

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19 The person who loves transgression loves strife;
    the person who builds a high gate invites destruction.

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27 One who spares words is knowledgeable;
    one who is cool in spirit has understanding.(A)

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27 Whoever controls what he says is knowledgeable;
    anyone who has a calm spirit is a man of understanding.

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18 Casting the lot puts an end to disputes
    and decides between powerful contenders.(A)
19 An ally offended is stronger than a city;[a]
    such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

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Footnotes

  1. 18.19 Gk Syr Vg Tg: Meaning of Heb uncertain

18 Casting dice settles a dispute,
    deciding between strong contenders.

19 An offended brother is more unyielding than a fortified city,
    and his disputes are like the bars of a fortress.

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11 Those with good sense are slow to anger,
    and it is their glory to overlook an offense.(A)
12 A king’s anger is like the growling of a lion,
    but his favor is like dew on the grass.(B)

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11 A person’s discretion makes him slow to anger,
    and it is to his credit that he ignores an offence.

12 The king’s anger is like the roaring of a lion,
    but his goodwill is like dew on the grass.

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19 A violent-tempered person will pay the penalty;
    if you effect a rescue, you will only have to do it again.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 19.19 Meaning of Heb uncertain

19 The person who has great anger must pay the consequences,
    because if you rescue him, you will have to do it again.

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It is honorable to refrain from strife,
    but every fool is quick to quarrel.(A)

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Avoiding strife brings a man honor,
    but every fool is quarrelsome.

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22 Do not say, “I will repay evil”;
    wait for the Lord, and he will help you.(A)

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22 Don’t say “I’ll avenge that wrong!”
    Wait on the Lord and he will deliver you.

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