The one who corrects a mocker
will bring abuse on himself;
the one who rebukes the wicked will get hurt.[a]
Don’t rebuke a mocker, or he will hate you;(A)
rebuke the wise, and he will love you.(B)
Instruct the wise, and he will be wiser still;
teach the righteous, and he will learn more.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 9:7 Lit man: his blemish

Wise advice

Whoever instructs the cynic gets insulted;
    whoever corrects the wicked gets hurt.
Don’t correct the impudent, or they will hate you;
    correct the wise, and they will love you.
Teach the wise, and they will become wiser;
    inform the righteous, and their learning will increase.

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10 A sly wink of the eye(A) causes grief,
and foolish lips will be destroyed.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(B)
but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(C)

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10 Those who wink an eye bring trouble;
    those who speak foolishly are ruined.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

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13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.(A)

14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.(B)

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13 Wisdom is found on the lips of those who have understanding,
    but there is a rod for the back of those with no sense.
14 The wise store up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool brings on ruin.

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13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
but a rod is for the back of the one who lacks sense.(A)

14 The wise store up knowledge,
but the mouth of the fool hastens destruction.(B)

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13 Wisdom is found on the lips of those who have understanding,
    but there is a rod for the back of those with no sense.
14 The wise store up knowledge,
    but the mouth of a fool brings on ruin.

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13 A gossip goes around revealing a secret,
but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.(A)

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13 A slanderer walks around revealing secrets,
    but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

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13 By rebellious speech an evil person is trapped,(A)
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.(B)

14 A person will be satisfied with good
by the fruit of his mouth,(C)
and the work of a person’s hands will reward him.(D)

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13 The wicked are trapped by the transgressions of their lips,
    but the righteous escape from distress.
14 From the fruit of their speech, people are well satisfied;
    their work results in reward.

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16 A fool’s displeasure is known at once,
but whoever ignores an insult is sensible.(A)

17 Whoever speaks the truth declares what is right,
but a false witness speaks deceit.(B)

18 There is one who speaks rashly,
like a piercing sword;(C)
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(D)

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
but a lying tongue, only a moment.(E)

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16 Fools reveal their anger right away,
    but the shrewd hide their contempt.
17 Those who state the truth speak justly,
    but a false witness deceives.
18 Some chatter on like a stabbing sword,
    but a wise tongue heals.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only for a moment.

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22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord,(A)
but faithful people are his delight.(B)

23 A shrewd person conceals knowledge,
but a foolish heart publicizes stupidity.(C)

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22 The Lord detests false lips;
    he favors those who do what is true.
23 The shrewd conceal their knowledge,
    but the heart of fools proclaims their stupidity.

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25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(A)

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25 Anxiety leads to depression,
    but a good word encourages.

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From the fruit of his mouth,
a person will enjoy good things,(A)
but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.(B)

The one who guards his mouth protects his life;(C)
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.(D)

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People eat well from the fruit of their words,
    but the treacherous have an appetite only for violence.
People who watch their mouths guard their lives,
    but those who open their lips are ruined.

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The proud speech of a fool brings a rod of discipline,[a]
but the lips of the wise protect them.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 14:3 Some emend to In the mouth of a fool is a rod for his back

Pride sprouts in the mouth of a fool,[a]
    but the lips of the wise protect them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:3 Heb uncertain