30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
    when they have done you no harm.

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30 Don’t accuse anyone without reason,
    when they haven’t harmed you.

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12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
    but love covers over all wrongs.(A)

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12 Hate stirs up conflict,
    but love covers all offenses.

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10 Where there is strife, there is pride,
    but wisdom is found in those who take advice.(A)

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10 The empty-headed cause conflict out of pride;
    those who take advice are wise.

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18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,(A)
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.(B)

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18 Hotheads stir up conflict,
    but patient people calm down strife.

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28 A perverse person stirs up conflict,(A)
    and a gossip separates close friends.(B)

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28 Destructive people produce conflict;
    gossips alienate close friends.

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14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
    so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.(A)

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14 The start of a quarrel is like letting out water,
    so drop the dispute before it breaks out.

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19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
    whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

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19 Those who love an offense love a quarrel;
    those who build a high doorway invite a collapse.

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19 A brother wronged(A) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
    disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

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19 An offended ally is more formidable than a city;
    such quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

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It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool(A) is quick to quarrel.(B)

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It is honorable to back off from a fight,
    but fools jump right in.

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19 Better to live in a desert
    than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.(A)

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19 Better to live in a wilderness
    than in a house with a contentious and angry woman.

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10 Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife;
    quarrels and insults are ended.(A)

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10 Remove the mocker and conflict disappears;
    judgment and shame also stop.

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    do not bring[a] hastily to court,
for what will you do in the end
    if your neighbor puts you to shame?(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:8 Or nobles / on whom you had set your eyes. / Do not go

don’t be quick to quarrel over;
    what will you do in the future when your neighbor shames you?

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