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16 There are six things the Lord hates—
    no, seven things he detests:

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16-19 For there are six things the Lord hates—no, seven: haughtiness, lying, murdering, plotting evil, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, sowing discord among brothers.

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19 a false witness who pours out lies,
    a person who sows discord in a family.

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16-19 For there are six things the Lord hates—no, seven: haughtiness, lying, murdering, plotting evil, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, sowing discord among brothers.

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12 Hatred stirs up quarrels,
    but love makes up for all offenses.

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12 Hatred stirs old quarrels, but love overlooks insults.

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With their words, the godless destroy their friends,
    but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

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Evil words destroy; godly skill rebuilds.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:9 Evil words destroy; godly skill rebuilds, or “When a godless man slanders his neighbor, the charges won’t stick because everyone knows his reputation.”

12 It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor;
    a sensible person keeps quiet.

13 A gossip goes around telling secrets,
    but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

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12 To quarrel with a neighbor is foolish; a man with good sense holds his tongue.

13 A gossip goes around spreading rumors, while a trustworthy man tries to quiet them.

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27 Scoundrels create trouble;
    their words are a destructive blaze.

28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;
    gossip separates the best of friends.

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27 Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece.[a]

28 An evil man sows strife; gossip separates the best of friends.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:27 Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece, literally, “A worthless man devises mischief; and in his lips there is a scorching fire.”

Wrongdoers eagerly listen to gossip;
    liars pay close attention to slander.

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The wicked enjoy fellowship with others who are wicked; liars enjoy liars.

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Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
    but dwelling on it separates close friends.

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Love forgets mistakes; nagging about them parts the best of friends.

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Rumors are dainty morsels
    that sink deep into one’s heart.

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What dainty morsels rumors are. They are eaten with great relish!

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19 A gossip goes around telling secrets,
    so don’t hang around with chatterers.

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19 Don’t tell your secrets to a gossip unless you want them broadcast to the world.

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When arguing with your neighbor,
    don’t betray another person’s secret.
10 Others may accuse you of gossip,
    and you will never regain your good reputation.

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8-10 Don’t be hotheaded and rush to court! You may start something you can’t finish and go down before your neighbor in shameful defeat. So discuss the matter with him privately. Don’t tell anyone else, lest he accuse you of slander and you can’t withdraw what you said.

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23 As surely as a north wind brings rain,
    so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

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23 As surely as a wind from the north brings cold,[a] just as surely a retort causes anger!

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:23 cold, literally, “rain.”

20 Fire goes out without wood,
    and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

21 A quarrelsome person starts fights
    as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

22 Rumors are dainty morsels
    that sink deep into one’s heart.

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20 Fire goes out for lack of fuel, and tensions disappear when gossip stops.

21 A quarrelsome man starts fights as easily as a match sets fire to paper.[a]

22 Gossip is a dainty morsel eaten with great relish.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:21 as easily as a match sets fire to paper, literally, “like coals to hot embers and wood to fire.”