11 An evil person desires only rebellion;
a cruel messenger[a](A) will be sent against him.

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Footnotes

  1. 17:11 Or a merciless angel

11 Evildoers foster rebellion against God;
    the messenger of death will be sent against them.

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19 One who loves to offend loves strife;(A)
one who builds a high threshold invites injury.

20 One with a twisted mind will not succeed,
and one with deceitful speech will fall into ruin.(B)

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19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
    whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
    one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

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24 Wisdom is the focus of the perceptive,
but a fool’s eyes(A) roam to the ends of the earth.

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24 A discerning person keeps wisdom in view,
    but a fool’s eyes(A) wander to the ends of the earth.

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18 One who isolates himself pursues selfish desires;
he rebels against all sound wisdom.

A fool does not delight in understanding,
but only wants to show off his opinions.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 18:2 Lit to uncover his heart

18 An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends
    and against all sound judgment starts quarrels.

Fools find no pleasure in understanding
    but delight in airing their own opinions.(A)

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14 “It’s worthless, it’s worthless!” the buyer says,
but after he is on his way, he gloats.

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14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
    then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

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29 A wicked person puts on a bold face,(A)
but the upright one considers his way.

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29 The wicked put up a bold front,
    but the upright give thought to their ways.(A)

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10 Drive out a mocker,(A) and conflict goes too;
then quarreling and dishonor will cease.(B)

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10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
    quarrels and insults are ended.(A)

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The one who sows injustice will reap disaster,(A)
and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

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Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,(A)
    and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.(B)

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26 Don’t be one of those who enter agreements,[a]
who put up security for loans.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 22:26 Lit Don’t be among hand slappers

Saying 4

26 Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge(A)
    or puts up security for debts;

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23 When you sit down to dine with a ruler,
consider carefully what[a] is before you,
and put a knife to your throat
if you have a big[b] appetite;
don’t desire his choice food,(A)
for that food is deceptive.

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Footnotes

  1. 23:1 Or who
  2. 23:2 Lit you are the master of an

Saying 7

23 When you sit to dine with a ruler,
    note well what[a] is before you,
and put a knife to your throat
    if you are given to gluttony.
Do not crave his delicacies,(A)
    for that food is deceptive.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:1 Or who

Don’t eat a stingy person’s bread,[a](A)
and don’t desire his choice food,(B)
for it’s like someone calculating inwardly.[b](C)
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.(D)
You will vomit the little you’ve eaten
and waste your pleasant words.

Don’t speak to[c] a fool,
for he will despise the insight of your words.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. 23:6 Lit eat bread of an evil eye
  2. 23:7 LXX reads it is like someone swallowing a hair in the throat
  3. 23:9 Lit in the ears of

Saying 9

Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,
    do not crave his delicacies;(A)
for he is the kind of person
    who is always thinking about the cost.[a]
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
    but his heart is not with you.
You will vomit up the little you have eaten
    and will have wasted your compliments.

Saying 10

Do not speak to fools,
    for they will scorn your prudent words.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:7 Or for as he thinks within himself, / so he is; or for as he puts on a feast, / so he is

The one who sends a message by a fool’s hand(A)
cuts off his own feet and drinks violence.(B)

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Sending a message by the hands of a fool(A)
    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.

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