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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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23 The (A)heart of the wise instructs his mouth
And adds [a]persuasiveness to his lips.
24 (B)Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
Sweet to the soul and (C)healing to the bones.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:23 Or learning

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

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27 A (A)worthless person digs up evil,
While [a]his words are like (B)scorching fire.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:27 Lit on his lips

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

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One who mocks the (A)poor taunts his Maker;
One who (B)rejoices at disaster will not go unpunished.

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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

[a](A)Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool,
Much less are (B)lying lips to a prince.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:7 Lit A lip of abundance

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

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One who (A)conceals an offense seeks love,
But one who repeats a matter (B)separates close friends.

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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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27 One who (A)withholds his words [a]has knowledge,
And one who has a (B)cool spirit is a person of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he (C)keeps silent, is considered wise;
When he closes his lips, he is considered prudent.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:27 Lit knows

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

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

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Footnotes

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

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

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13 One who (A)gives an answer before he hears,
It is foolishness and shame to him.

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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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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

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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20 With the [a](A)fruit of a person’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied;
(B)He will be satisfied with the product of his lips.
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 I.e., speech
  2. Proverbs 18:21 Lit hand

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

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(A)Avoiding strife is an honor for a person,
But any fool will [a]quarrel.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:3 Lit burst out

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

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(A)Avoiding strife is an honor for a person,
But any fool will [a]quarrel.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:3 Lit burst out

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

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11 One who loves (A)purity of heart
And [a]whose speech is (B)gracious, the king is his friend.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:11 Lit has grace on his lips