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He who corrects and instructs a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man gets insults for himself.

[a]Do not correct a scoffer [who foolishly ridicules and takes no responsibility for his error] or he will hate you;
Correct a wise man [who learns from his error], and he will love you.(A)

Give instruction to a wise man and he will become even wiser;
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:8 The ancient rabbis took this to have the force of a commandment: never give a rebuke that is sure to be ignored.

One who (A)corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And one who rebukes a wicked person gets [a]insults for himself.
(B)Do not rebuke a scoffer, or he will hate you;
(C)Rebuke a wise person and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise person and he will become still wiser;
Teach a righteous person and he will (D)increase his insight.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:7 Lit a blemish

10 
He who [maliciously] winks the eye [of evil intent] causes trouble;
And the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.
11 
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life and his words of wisdom are a source of blessing,
But the mouth of the wicked conceals violence and evil.

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10 He (A)who winks the eye causes trouble,
And [a](B)a babbling fool will come to ruin.
11 The (C)mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
But (D)the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:10 Lit the foolish of lips

13 
On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found,
But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.
14 
Wise men store up and treasure knowledge [in mind and heart],
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

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13 On (A)the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,
But (B)a rod is for the back of him who has no [a]sense.
14 Wise people (C)store up knowledge,
But with (D)the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:13 Lit heart

13 
On the lips of the discerning, [skillful and godly] wisdom is found,
But discipline and the rod are for the back of the one who is without common sense and understanding.
14 
Wise men store up and treasure knowledge [in mind and heart],
But with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

Read full chapter

13 On (A)the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found,
But (B)a rod is for the back of him who has no [a]sense.
14 Wise people (C)store up knowledge,
But with (D)the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:13 Lit heart

13 
He who goes about as a gossip reveals secrets,
But he who is trustworthy and faithful keeps a matter hidden.

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13 One (A)who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets,
But one who is [a]trustworthy (B)conceals a matter.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:13 Lit faithful of spirit

13 
An evil man is [dangerously] ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
But the righteous will escape from trouble.
14 
A man will be satisfied with good from the fruit of his words,
And the deeds of a man’s hands will return to him [as a harvest].

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13 [a]An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips,
But the (A)righteous will escape from trouble.
14 A person will be (B)satisfied with good by the fruit of his [b]words,
And the (C)deeds of a person’s hands will return to him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:13 Lit In the offense of the lips is an evil snare
  2. Proverbs 12:14 Lit mouth

16 
The [arrogant] fool’s anger is quickly known [because he lacks self-control and common sense],
But a prudent man ignores an insult.
17 
He who speaks truth [when he testifies] tells what is right,
But a false witness utters deceit [in court].
18 
There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 
Truthful lips will be established forever,
But a lying tongue is [credited] only for a moment.

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16 A (A)fool’s anger is known at once,
But a prudent person conceals dishonor.
17 One who declares truth tells what is right,
But a false witness, deceit.
18 There is one who (B)speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword,
But the (C)tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips will endure forever,
But a (D)lying tongue is only for a moment.

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22 
Lying lips are extremely disgusting to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.(A)
23 
A shrewd man is reluctant to display his knowledge [until the proper time],
But the heart of [over-confident] fools proclaims foolishness.(B)

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22 (A)Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.
23 A (B)prudent person conceals knowledge,
But the heart of fools proclaims foolishness.

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25 
Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
But a good (encouraging) word makes it glad.(A)

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25 (A)Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
But a (B)good word makes it glad.

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From the fruit of his mouth a [wise] man enjoys good,
But the desire of the treacherous is for violence.

The one who guards his mouth [thinking before he speaks] protects his life;
The one who opens his lips wide [and chatters without thinking] comes to ruin.

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From the fruit of a person’s mouth he [a](A)enjoys good,
But the [b]desire of the treacherous is (B)violence.
One who (C)guards his mouth protects his life;
One who (D)opens wide his lips [c]comes to ruin.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:2 Lit eats
  2. Proverbs 13:2 Lit soul
  3. Proverbs 13:3 Lit ruin is his


In the mouth of the [arrogant] [a]fool [who rejects God] is a rod for his back,
But the lips of the wise [when they speak with godly wisdom] will protect them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:3 See note 1:7.

In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back,
But (A)the lips of the wise will protect them.

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