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26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss on the lips.

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26 A kiss on the lips—
    that’s what someone who gives an honest answer deserves.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:26 The Heb. lacks deserves

Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court.
    What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
Debate your case with your neighbor,
    and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10     lest one who hears it put you to shame,
    and your bad reputation never depart.

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don’t be in a hurry to argue in court.
Otherwise, what will you do later on
    when your neighbor humiliates you?
Instead, take up the matter with your neighbor,
    and don’t betray another person’s confidence.
10 Otherwise, anyone who hears will make you ashamed,
    and your bad reputation will never leave you.

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11 A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold,
    so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest,
    so is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
    for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 As clouds and wind without rain,
    so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded.
    A soft tongue breaks the bone.

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11 Like golden apples set in silver
    is a word spoken at the right time.
12 Like a gold earring and a necklace of pure gold
    is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

13 Like cold snow during harvest time
    is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
        he refreshes his masters.
14 Like clouds and winds without rain
    is the man who brags
        about gifts he never gave.

15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded;
    a gentle word[a] can break a bone.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:15 Lit. tongue

20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
    or vinegar on soda,
    so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

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20 Taking your coat off when it’s cold
    or pouring vinegar on soda—
        that’s what singing songs does to a heavy heart.

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Don’t answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest you also be like him.
Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be wise in his own eyes.

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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.

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17 Like one who grabs a dog’s ears
    is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.

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17 Picking up a dog by the ears—
    that’s what someone is like who[a] meddles in another’s fight.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:17 Lit. who, as he is passing by,

18 Like a madman who shoots torches, arrows, and death,
19     is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “Am I not joking?”

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18 Like the maniac who shoots
    fiery darts and deadly arrows—
19 that’s what someone is like who lies to his neighbor
    and then says, “I was joking, wasn’t I?”

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23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
    than one who flatters with the tongue.

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23 Whoever rebukes a man will later on find more favor
    than someone who flatters with his words.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:23 Lit. tongue

20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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20 Do you see a man who speaks hastily?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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