12 Let a man meet (A)a she-bear robbed of her cubs (B)rather than a fool in his folly.
12 It is safer to meet a bear robbed of her cubs than to confront a fool caught in foolishness.
12 Like (A)a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to (B)a listening ear.
12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.
17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.[a]
17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
23 Whoever (A)rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than (B)he who flatters with his tongue.
23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
