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23 The heart of the wise instructs his mouth,
    and adds learning to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb,
    sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.

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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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27 A worthless man devises mischief.
    His speech is like a scorching fire.

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

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Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker.
    He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.

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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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Excellent speech isn’t fitting for a fool,
    much less do lying lips fit a prince.

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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

He who covers an offense promotes love;
    but he who repeats a matter separates best friends.

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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 He who spares his words has knowledge.
    He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise.
    When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.

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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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The words of a man’s mouth are like deep waters.
    The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.

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

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13 He who answers before he hears,
    that is folly and shame to him.

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

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17 He who pleads his cause first seems right;
    until another comes and questions 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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20 A man’s stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth.
    With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
21 Death and life are in the power of the tongue;
    those who love it will eat its fruit.

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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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It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
    but every fool will be quarreling.

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

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It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife,
    but every fool will be quarreling.

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

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11 He who loves purity of heart and speaks gracefully
    is the king’s friend.

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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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