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

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Footnotes

  1. 23:9 Lit in the ears of

Don’t speak when a fool is listening,
    because he’ll despise your wise words.

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12 A wise correction to a receptive ear(A)
is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.

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12 Like a gold earring and a necklace of pure gold
    is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

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Better an open reprimand
than concealed love.(A)

The wounds of a friend are trustworthy,(B)
but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.(C)

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An open rebuke is better
    than unspoken love.
Wounds from someone who loves are trustworthy,
    but kisses from an enemy speak volumes.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:6 Lit. enemy are profuse

17 Iron sharpens iron,
and one person sharpens another.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 27:17 Lit and a man sharpens his friend’s face

17 Iron sharpens iron;
    so a man sharpens a friend’s character.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:17 Lit. countenance

29 One who becomes stiff-necked,
after many reprimands
will be shattered instantly—
beyond recovery.(A)

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Advice on Life and Justice

29 After many rebukes, the stiff-necked man
will be broken incurably, without any warning.

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