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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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28 Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent,
    and discerning if they hold their tongues.(A)

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A fool has no delight in understanding,
    but only in revealing his own opinion.

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

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A fool’s lips come into strife,
    and his mouth invites beatings.
A fool’s mouth is his destruction,
    and his lips are a snare to his soul.

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The lips of fools bring them strife,
    and their mouths invite a beating.(A)

The mouths of fools are their undoing,
    and their lips are a snare(B) to their very lives.(C)

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19 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity
    than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.

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19 Better the poor whose walk is blameless
    than a fool whose lips are perverse.(A)

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10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool,
    much less for a servant to have rule over princes.

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10 It is not fitting for a fool(A) to live in luxury—
    how much worse for a slave to rule over princes!(B)

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29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers,
    and beatings for the backs of fools.

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29 Penalties are prepared for mockers,
    and beatings for the backs of fools.(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 to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool(A) is quick to quarrel.(B)

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

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Saying 10

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

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Wisdom is too high for a fool.
    He doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.

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Saying 23

Wisdom is too high for fools;
    in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths.

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26 Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest,
    so honor is not fitting for a fool.

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26 Like snow in summer or rain(A) in harvest,
    honor is not fitting for a fool.(B)

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A whip is for the horse,
    a bridle for the donkey,
    and a rod for the back of fools!
Don’t answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest you also be like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be wise in his own eyes.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool
    is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
Like the legs of the lame that hang loose,
    so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
As one who binds a stone in a sling,
    so is he who gives honor to a fool.
Like a thorn bush that goes into the hand of a drunkard,
    so is a parable in the mouth of fools.
10 As an archer who wounds all,
    so is he who hires a fool
    or he who hires those who pass by.
11 As a dog that returns to his vomit,
    so is a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man wise in his own eyes?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,(A)
    and a rod for the backs of fools!(B)
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
    or you yourself will be just like him.(C)
Answer a fool according to his folly,
    or he will be wise in his own eyes.(D)
Sending a message by the hands of a fool(E)
    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
Like the useless legs of one who is lame
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(F)
Like tying a stone in a sling
    is the giving of honor to a fool.(G)
Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(H)
10 Like an archer who wounds at random
    is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,(I)
    so fools repeat their folly.(J)
12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?(K)
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.(L)

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A stone is heavy,
    and sand is a burden;
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

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Stone is heavy and sand(A) a burden,
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

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