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11 An evil man seeks only rebellion;
    therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.

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11 Evil people are eager for rebellion,
    but they will be severely punished.

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19 He who loves disobedience loves strife.
    One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
20 One who has a perverse heart doesn’t find prosperity,
    and one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.

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19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;
    anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.

20 The crooked heart will not prosper;
    the lying tongue tumbles into trouble.

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24 Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding,
    but the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.

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24 Sensible people keep their eyes glued on wisdom,
    but a fool’s eyes wander to the ends of the earth.

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18 A man who isolates himself pursues selfishness,
    and defies all sound judgment.
A fool has no delight in understanding,
    but only in revealing his own opinion.

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18 Unfriendly people care only about themselves;
    they lash out at common sense.

Fools have no interest in understanding;
    they only want to air their own opinions.

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14 “It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer;
    but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.

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14 The buyer haggles over the price, saying, “It’s worthless,”
    then brags about getting a bargain!

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29 A wicked man hardens his face;
    but as for the upright, he establishes his ways.

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29 The wicked bluff their way through,
    but the virtuous think before they act.

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10 Drive out the mocker, and strife will go out;
    yes, quarrels and insults will stop.

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10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
    Quarrels and insults will disappear.

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He who sows wickedness reaps trouble,
    and the rod of his fury will be destroyed.

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Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster,
    and their reign of terror will come to an end.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 22:8 The Greek version includes an additional proverb: God blesses a man who gives cheerfully, / but his worthless deeds will come to an end. Compare 2 Cor 9:7.

26 Don’t you be one of those who strike hands,
    of those who are collateral for debts.

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26 Don’t agree to guarantee another person’s debt
    or put up security for someone else.

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23 When you sit to eat with a ruler,
    consider diligently what is before you;
put a knife to your throat,
    if you are a man given to appetite.
Don’t be desirous of his dainties,
    since they are deceitful food.

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23 While dining with a ruler,
    pay attention to what is put before you.
If you are a big eater,
    put a knife to your throat;
don’t desire all the delicacies,
    for he might be trying to trick you.

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Don’t eat the food of him who has a stingy eye,
    and don’t crave his delicacies:
    for as he thinks about the cost, so he is.
    “Eat and drink!” he says to you,
    but his heart is not with you.
The morsel which you have eaten you shall vomit up,
    and lose your good words.

Don’t speak in the ears of a fool,
    for he will despise the wisdom of your words.

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Don’t eat with people who are stingy;
    don’t desire their delicacies.
They are always thinking about how much it costs.[a]
    “Eat and drink,” they say, but they don’t mean it.
You will throw up what little you’ve eaten,
    and your compliments will be wasted.

Don’t waste your breath on fools,
    for they will despise the wisest advice.

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Footnotes

  1. 23:7 The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.

One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
    is cutting off feet and drinking violence.

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Trusting a fool to convey a message
    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison!

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