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

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26 One who gives an honest answer
    gives a kiss on the lips.

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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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    do not hastily bring into court,
for[a] what will you do in the end,
    when your neighbor puts you to shame?(A)
Argue your case with your neighbor directly,
    and do not disclose another’s secret,(B)
10 or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you,
    and your ill repute will have no end.

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Footnotes

  1. 25.8 Cn: Heb or else

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 A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.(A)
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.(B)
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
    are faithful messengers to those who send them;
    they refresh the spirit of their masters.(C)
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is one who boasts of a gift never given.(D)
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue can break bones.(E)

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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 Like vinegar on a wound[a]
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood,
    sorrow gnaws at the human heart.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 25.20 Gk: Heb Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, like vinegar on lye
  2. 25.20 Gk Syr Tg: Heb lacks Like a moth . . . human heart

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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Do not answer fools according to their folly,
    lest you be a fool yourself.(A)
Answer fools according to their folly,
    lest they be wise in their own eyes.(B)

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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 Like someone who takes a passing dog by the ears
    is one who meddles in the quarrel of another.(A)

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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 a maniac who shoots deadly firebrands and arrows,(A)
19 so is one who deceives a neighbor
    and says, “I am only joking!”(B)

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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 person will afterward find more favor
    than one who flatters with the tongue.(A)

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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 someone who is hasty in speech?
    There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that.(A)

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