Proverbs 24:26
Holman Christian Standard Bible
26 He who gives an honest answer
gives a kiss on the lips.
Proverbs 24:26
Common English Bible
26 Those who speak honestly
are like those who kiss on the lips.
Proverbs 25:8-10
Holman Christian Standard Bible
8 Don’t take a matter to court hastily.(A)
Otherwise, what will you do afterward
if your opponent[a] humiliates you?
9 Make your case with your opponent[b]
without revealing another’s secret;(B)
10 otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you,
and you’ll never live it down.[c]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:8 Or neighbor
- Proverbs 25:9 Or neighbor
- Proverbs 25:10 Lit and your evil report will not turn back
Proverbs 25:8-10
Common English Bible
8 don’t be quick to quarrel over;
what will you do in the future when your neighbor shames you?
9 Argue it out with your neighbor,
and don’t give away someone’s secret.
10 Otherwise, the one who hears it will vilify you;
the slander against you will never stop.
Proverbs 25:11-15
Holman Christian Standard Bible
11 A word spoken at the right time
is like gold apples on a silver tray.[a](A)
12 A wise correction to a receptive ear(B)
is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.
13 To those who send him, a trustworthy messenger
is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day;
he refreshes the life of his masters.(C)
14 The man who boasts about a gift that does not exist
is like clouds and wind without rain.(D)
15 A ruler can be persuaded through patience,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(E)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:11 Or like apples of gold in settings of silver
Proverbs 25:11-15
Common English Bible
11 Words spoken at the right time
are like gold apples in a silver setting.
12 Wise correction to an ear that listens
is like a gold earring or jewelry of fine gold.
13 Like the coolness of snow on a harvest day
are reliable messengers to those who send them;
they restore the life of their master.
14 People who brag about a gift never given
are like clouds and wind that produce no rain.
15 A commander can be persuaded with patience,
and a tender tongue can break a bone.
Proverbs 25:20
Holman Christian Standard Bible
20 Singing songs to a troubled heart
is like taking off clothing on a cold day
or like pouring vinegar on soda.[a](A)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:20 Lit natron, or sodium carbonate
Proverbs 25:20
Common English Bible
20 Singing a song to a troubled heart
is like taking off a garment on a cold day
or putting vinegar on a wound.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 25:20 LXX; MT vinegar on natron (a detergent)
Proverbs 26:4-5
Holman Christian Standard Bible
4 Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness(A)
or you’ll be like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his foolishness(B)
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.(C)
Proverbs 26:4-5
Common English Bible
4 Don’t answer fools according to their folly,
or you will become like them yourself.
5 Answer fools according to their folly,
or they will deem themselves wise.
Proverbs 26:17
Holman Christian Standard Bible
17 A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his
is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.
Proverbs 26:17
Common English Bible
17 Like yanking the ears of a dog,
so is one who passes by and gets involved in another person’s fight.
Proverbs 26:18-19
Holman Christian Standard Bible
18 Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,(A)
19 so is the man who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!”
Proverbs 26:18-19
Common English Bible
18 Like a crazy person shooting deadly flaming arrows
19 are those who deceive their neighbor and say, “Hey, I was only joking!”
Proverbs 28:23
Holman Christian Standard Bible
23 One who rebukes a person will later find more favor(A)
than one who flatters[a] with his tongue.(B)
Footnotes
- Proverbs 28:23 Lit is smooth
Proverbs 28:23
Common English Bible
23 Those who correct someone will, in the end, find more favor
than those with flattering tongues.
Proverbs 29:20
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 29:20
Common English Bible
20 Do you see people who are quick to speak?
There is more hope for fools than for them.
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Copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible