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16 
These six things the Lord hates;
Indeed, seven are repulsive to Him:
17 
A proud look [the attitude that makes one overestimate oneself and discount others], a lying tongue,
And hands that shed innocent blood,(A)
18 
A heart that creates wicked plans,
Feet that run swiftly to evil,
19 
A false witness who breathes out lies [even half-truths],
And one who spreads discord (rumors) among brothers.

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He who covers and forgives an offense seeks love,
But he who repeats or gossips about a matter separates intimate friends.

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14 
The beginning of strife is like letting out water [as from a small break in a dam; first it trickles and then it gushes];
Therefore [a]abandon the quarrel before it breaks out and tempers explode.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:14 The ancient rabbis derived from this statement the principle of seeking a settlement before a case comes to court (cf Matt 5:25; Luke 12:58).

19 
He who loves transgression loves strife and is quarrelsome;
He who [proudly] raises his gate seeks destruction [because of his arrogant pride].

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Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

18 He who [willfully] separates himself [from God and man] seeks his own desire,
He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

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19 
A brother offended is harder to win over than a fortified city,
And contentions [separating families] are like the bars of a castle.

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11 
A [shortsighted] fool always loses his temper and displays his anger,
But a wise man [uses self-control and] holds it back.

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22 
An angry man stirs up strife,
And a hot-tempered and undisciplined man commits many transgressions.

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32 
If you have foolishly exalted yourself,
Or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your mouth.(A)
33 
Surely the churning of milk produces butter,
And wringing the nose produces blood;
So the churning of anger produces strife.

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