23 The heart of a wise person instructs his mouth;
it adds learning to his speech.[a](A)

24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:(B)
sweet to the taste[b] and health to the body.[c](C)

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Footnotes

  1. 16:23 Lit learning upon his lips
  2. 16:24 Lit throat
  3. 16:24 Lit bones

23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to their lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

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27 A worthless person digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.(A)

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27 Scoundrels concoct evil,
    and their speech is like a scorching fire.(A)

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The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,(A)
and one who rejoices over calamity
will not go unpunished.(B)

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Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;
    those who are glad at calamity will not go unpunished.(A)

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Eloquent words are not appropriate on a fool’s lips;
how much worse are lies for a ruler.

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Excess speech is not becoming to a fool;
    still less is false speech to a ruler.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 17.7 Or a noble

Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,(A)
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.(B)

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One who forgives an affront fosters friendship,
    but one who dwells on disputes will alienate a friend.(A)

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27 The one who has knowledge restrains his words,(A)
and one who keeps a cool head[a]
is a person of understanding.

28 Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps silent—
discerning, when he seals his lips.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 17:27 Lit spirit

27 One who spares words is knowledgeable;
    one who is cool in spirit has understanding.(A)
28 Even fools who keep silent are considered wise;
    when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent.(B)

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The words of a person’s mouth are deep waters,(A)
a flowing river, a fountain of wisdom.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 18:4 Or waters; a fountain of wisdom is a flowing river

The words of the mouth are deep waters;
    the fountain of wisdom is a gushing stream.(A)

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13 The one who gives an answer before he listens—
this is foolishness and disgrace for him.(A)

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13 If one gives answer before hearing,
    it is folly and shame.(A)

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17 The first to state his case seems right
until another comes and cross-examines him.(A)

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17 The one who first states a case seems right,
    until the other comes and cross-examines.

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20 From the fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach is satisfied;
he is filled with the product of his lips.(A)

21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruit.(B)

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20 From the fruit of the mouth one’s stomach is satisfied;
    the yield of the lips brings satisfaction.(A)
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
    and those who love it will eat its fruits.(B)

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Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute,(A)
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.(B)

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

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Honor belongs to the person who ends a dispute,(A)
but any fool can get himself into a quarrel.(B)

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

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11 The one who loves a pure heart
and gracious lips—the king is his friend.(A)

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11 Those who love a pure heart and are gracious in speech
    will have the king as a friend.(A)

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