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26 Someone who gives a straight answer gives a kiss on the lips.

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26 He will kiss the lips,
    he who gives an honest answer.

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Do not be in a hurry to go to court.
Otherwise, what will you do afterward,
when your neighbor humiliates you?
Argue your case with your neighbor,
but do not reveal someone else’s secret.
10 If you do, the person who hears it will shame you,
and your bad reputation will never leave you.

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do not hastily bring out to court,
    for[a] what will you do at its end,
    when your neighbor puts you to shame?
Argue your argument with your neighbor himself,
    the secret of another do not disclose,
10 lest he who hears shame you
    and your ill repute will not end.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:8 Or “lest”

11 A word spoken at the right time
    is like golden apples in silver settings.
12 To ears that listen, a wise person’s correction
    is like a gold ring or like jewelry made of pure gold.
13 To those who send him, a trustworthy messenger
    is like cooling snow on a warm day during harvest.
He refreshes his masters’ spirits.
14 A person who brags about a gift that is never given
    is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.
15 By patience a ruler can be persuaded,
and a soft tongue can break a bone.

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11 Apples of gold in a setting of silver
    is a matter spoken at[a] its proper time.
12 A ring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
    is a rebuke of the wise to the ear of a listener.
13 Like the cold of snow on a day[b] of harvest
    is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
    and the soul[c] of his master is refreshed.[d]
14 Like clouds and wind when there is no rain,
    so too is a man who boasts in a gift of deception.
15 With patience[e] a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.[f]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:11 Hebrew “on”
  2. Proverbs 25:13 Or “at a season”
  3. Proverbs 25:13 Or “life,” or “inner self”
  4. Proverbs 25:13 Or “returned”
  5. Proverbs 25:15 Literally “With length of face”
  6. Proverbs 25:15 Or “strength”

20 Singing songs to a despondent heart
    is like taking off a coat on a cold day
    or like vinegar on baking soda.

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20 Like one who removes a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on natron,[a]
    is he who sings songs to a heavy heart.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:20 A mineral salt found on dry lake beds often used as a preservative.

Do not answer a fool according to his folly.
If you do, you yourself will become like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly.
If you do not, he will consider himself wise.

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Do not answer a fool according to his folly
    lest you become like him—even you.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
    or else he will be wise in his own eyes.

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17 A passerby who meddles in a quarrel that is not his
is like a person who grabs a dog by the ears.

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17 Grabbing onto the ears of a dog
    passing by is one who meddles in a quarrel that is not his own.

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18 A person who deceives his neighbor and then says, “I was only joking,”
19 is like a madman who shoots firebrands and deadly arrows.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:19 Elements of verses 18 and 19 were rearranged to get smooth English word order.

18 Like a maniac who shoots
    firebrands, arrows, and death,
19 so is a man who deceives his neighbor,
    but says “Am I not joking?”

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23 In the end a person who corrects someone will find more favor
    than a person with a flattering tongue.

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23 He who rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
    than he who flatters with the tongue.

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20 Have you seen a person who is hasty with his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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20 You see a man who is hasty in his words:
    there is more hope for a fool than him.

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