A person’s own folly(A) leads to their ruin,
    yet their heart rages against the Lord.(B)

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A man’s foolishness ruins his life,[a]
    yet his heart rages against the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:3 Lit. way

It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool(A) is quick to quarrel.(B)

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Avoiding strife brings a man honor,
    but every fool is quarrelsome.

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20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
    but fools gulp theirs down.

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20 Precious treasures and oil are found[a] where the wise live,
    but a foolish man devours them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:20 So MT; LXX reads A desirable treasure will rest

15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.(A)

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15 A child’s heart has a tendency to do wrong,
    but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him.

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26 Like snow in summer or rain(A) in harvest,
    honor is not fitting for a fool.(B)
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
    an undeserved curse does not come to rest.(C)
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,(D)
    and a rod for the backs of fools!(E)
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
    or you yourself will be just like him.(F)
Answer a fool according to his folly,
    or he will be wise in his own eyes.(G)
Sending a message by the hands of a fool(H)
    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.(I)
Like tying a stone in a sling
    is the giving of honor to a fool.(J)
Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(K)
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,(L)
    so fools repeat their folly.(M)
12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?(N)
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.(O)

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On Fools

26 Like snowfall in summer or rain at harvest time,
so honor is inappropriate for a fool.

Like a fluttering sparrow
    or a swallow in flight,
        a curse without cause will not alight.

A whip is for the horses,
    a bridle is for the donkey,
        a rod is for the back of fools.
Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness,
    or you will be just like him.
Answer a fool according to his foolishness,
    or he will think himself to be wise.
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
    cuts off his own[a] feet and drinks violence.
Useless legs to the lame—
    that’s what a proverb quoted by a fool is.
Tying a stone to a sling—
    that’s what giving honor to a fool is.
A thorn in the hand of a drunkard—
    that’s what a proverb quoted by a fool is.
10 An archer who shoots at anyone—
    is like someone who hires a fool or anyone who passes by.
11 A dog that returns to its vomit
    is like a fool who reverts to his folly.
12 Do you see a man who is wise in his own opinion?
    There’s more hope for a fool than for him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:6 The Heb. lacks his own

26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,(A)
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.(B)

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26 Whoever trusts in himself is foolish,
    but whoever lives wisely will be kept safe.

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11 Fools give full vent to their rage,(A)
    but the wise bring calm in the end.(B)

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11 The fool vents all his feelings,[a]
    but the wise person keeps them to himself.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:11 Lit. spirit
  2. Proverbs 29:11 The Heb. lacks to himself

32 “If you play the fool and exalt yourself,
    or if you plan evil,
    clap your hand over your mouth!(A)

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32 If you’ve foolishly exalted yourself
    or if you’ve plotted evil,
        put your hand over your mouth.

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