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23 The (A)heart of the wise gives insight to his mouth
And increases learning to his lips.
24 (B)Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and (C)healing to the bones.

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23 From a wise mind comes wise speech;
    the words of the wise are persuasive.

24 Kind words are like honey—
    sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

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27 A (A)vile man digs up evil,
And the words on his lips are like (B)scorching fire.

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27 Scoundrels create trouble;
    their words are a destructive blaze.

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He who mocks the (A)poor reproaches his Maker;
He who is (B)glad at disaster will not go unpunished.

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Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;
    those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

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(A)Excellent lips are not fitting for a [a]wicked fool,
Even less are (B)lying lips for a noble man.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:7 One who rejects wisdom in rebellion against God

Eloquent words are not fitting for a fool;
    even less are lies fitting for a ruler.

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He who (A)covers a transgression seeks love,
But he who repeats a matter (B)separates close companions.

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Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
    but dwelling on it separates close friends.

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27 He who (A)holds back his words [a]has knowledge,
And he who has a (B)cool spirit is a man of discernment.
28 Even an ignorant fool, when he (C)keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered understanding.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:27 Lit knows

27 A truly wise person uses few words;
    a person with understanding is even-tempered.

28 Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent;
    with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent.

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The words of a man’s mouth are (A)deep waters;
[a]The fountain of wisdom is a flowing brook.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:4 Or A bubbling brook, a fountain of wisdom

Wise words are like deep waters;
    wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.

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13 He who (A)responds with a word before he hears,
It is folly and shame to him.

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13 Spouting off before listening to the facts
    is both shameful and foolish.

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17 The first [a]to plead his case seems right,
Until [b]another comes and examines him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:17 Lit in his plea
  2. Proverbs 18:17 Lit his neighbor

17 The first to speak in court sounds right—
    until the cross-examination begins.

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20 From the [a](A)fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
(B)With the produce of his lips he will be satisfied.
21 (C)Death and life are in the [b]power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its (D)fruit.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:20 Speech
  2. Proverbs 18:21 Lit hand

20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
    the right words bring satisfaction.

21 The tongue can bring death or life;
    those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

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It is a glory for a man to (A)cease quarreling,
But any ignorant fool will break out in dispute.

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Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor;
    only fools insist on quarreling.

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It is a glory for a man to (A)cease quarreling,
But any ignorant fool will break out in dispute.

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Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor;
    only fools insist on quarreling.

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11 He who loves (A)purity of heart
And (B)grace on his lips, the king is his friend.

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11 Whoever loves a pure heart and gracious speech
    will have the king as a friend.

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