Whoever corrects a scoffer gets himself abuse,
    and he who reproves a wicked man incurs injury.
(A)Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
    (B)reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
Give instruction[a] to a wise man, and he will be (C)still wiser;
    teach a righteous man, and he will (D)increase in learning.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:9 Hebrew lacks instruction

Anyone who rebukes a mocker will get an insult in return.
    Anyone who corrects the wicked will get hurt.
So don’t bother correcting mockers;
    they will only hate you.
But correct the wise,
    and they will love you.
Instruct the wise,
    and they will be even wiser.
Teach the righteous,
    and they will learn even more.

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10 Whoever (A)winks the eye causes trouble,
    and a babbling fool will come to ruin.
11 (B)The mouth of the righteous is (C)a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked (D)conceals violence.

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10 People who wink at wrong cause trouble,
    but a bold reproof promotes peace.[a]

11 The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain;
    the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.

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Footnotes

  1. 10:10 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads but babbling fools fall flat on their faces.

13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
    but (A)a rod is for the back of him who (B)lacks sense.
14 The wise (C)lay up knowledge,
    but (D)the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

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13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding,
    but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.

14 Wise people treasure knowledge,
    but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.

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13 On the lips of him who has understanding, wisdom is found,
    but (A)a rod is for the back of him who (B)lacks sense.
14 The wise (C)lay up knowledge,
    but (D)the mouth of a fool brings ruin near.

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13 Wise words come from the lips of people with understanding,
    but those lacking sense will be beaten with a rod.

14 Wise people treasure knowledge,
    but the babbling of a fool invites disaster.

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13 Whoever (A)goes about slandering reveals secrets,
    but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

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

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13 An evil man is ensnared (A)by the transgression of his lips,[a]
    (B)but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his mouth (C)a man is satisfied with good,
    (D)and the work of a man's hand comes back to him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:13 Or In the transgression of the lips, there is an evil snare

13 The wicked are trapped by their own words,
    but the godly escape such trouble.

14 Wise words bring many benefits,
    and hard work brings rewards.

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16 (A)The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent ignores an insult.
17 (B)Whoever speaks[a] the truth gives honest evidence,
    but (C)a false witness utters deceit.
18 (D)There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings (E)healing.
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but (F)a lying tongue is but for a moment.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:17 Hebrew breathes out

16 A fool is quick-tempered,
    but a wise person stays calm when insulted.

17 An honest witness tells the truth;
    a false witness tells lies.

18 Some people make cutting remarks,
    but the words of the wise bring healing.

19 Truthful words stand the test of time,
    but lies are soon exposed.

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22 (A)Lying lips are (B)an abomination to the Lord,
    (C)but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 (D)A prudent man conceals knowledge,
    (E)but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

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22 The Lord detests lying lips,
    but he delights in those who tell the truth.

23 The wise don’t make a show of their knowledge,
    but fools broadcast their foolishness.

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25 (A)Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.

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25 Worry weighs a person down;
    an encouraging word cheers a person up.

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From the fruit of his mouth a man (A)eats what is good,
    but the desire of the treacherous (B)is for violence.
(C)Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life;
    (D)he who opens wide his lips (E)comes to ruin.

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Wise words will win you a good meal,
    but treacherous people have an appetite for violence.

Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
    opening your mouth can ruin everything.

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By the mouth of a fool comes (A)a rod for his back,[a]
    (B)but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:3 Or In the mouth of a fool is a rod of pride

A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,
    but the words of the wise keep them safe.

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