26 One who gives [a]a right answer
Kisses the lips.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:26 Or an honest

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

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Do not go out (A)hastily to [a]argue your case;
[b]Otherwise, what will you do in [c]the end,
When your neighbor humiliates you?
[d](B)Argue your case with your neighbor,
And (C)do not reveal the secret of another,
10 Or one who hears it will put you to shame,
And the evil report about you will not [e]pass away.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:8 Lit contend
  2. Proverbs 25:8 Lit Lest
  3. Proverbs 25:8 Lit its
  4. Proverbs 25:9 Lit Contend
  5. Proverbs 25:10 Lit return

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 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,
Is a (A)word spoken at [a]the proper time.
12 Like [b]an (B)earring of gold and a (C)jewelry piece of (D)fine gold,
Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a (E)listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the [c]time of harvest
Is a (F)faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like (G)clouds and (H)wind without rain
Is a person who boasts [d]of his gifts falsely.
15 Through [e](I)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks bone.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:11 Lit its time
  2. Proverbs 25:12 Or a nose ring
  3. Proverbs 25:13 Lit day
  4. Proverbs 25:14 Lit in a gift of falsehood
  5. Proverbs 25:15 Lit length of anger

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 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on [a]soda,
Is one who sings songs to [b]a troubled heart.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:20 I.e., natron
  2. Proverbs 25:20 Lit an evil

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.

(A)Do not answer a fool [a]according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
(B)Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be (C)wise in his own eyes.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:4 I.e., taking his question or argument seriously

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 Like one who takes a dog by the ears,
So is one who passes by and [a]meddles with (A)strife not belonging to him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:17 Lit infuriates himself

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 Like a maniac who shoots
(A)Flaming arrows, arrows, and death,
19 So is a person who (B)deceives his neighbor,
And says, “(C)Was I not joking?”

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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 One who (A)rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
Than one who (B)flatters with the 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 Do you see a person who is (A)hasty with his words?
There is (B)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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