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“If you ·correct [instruct; discipline] ·someone who makes fun of wisdom [a mocker], you will be insulted.
    If you correct an evil person, you will ·get hurt [L be blemished].
Do not correct ·those who make fun of wisdom [mockers], or they will hate you.
    But correct the wise, and they will love you.
·Teach [L Give to] the wise, and they will become even wiser;
    ·teach [inform] ·good people [the righteous], and they will ·learn even more [L add to their learning].

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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.

10 A wink may ·get you into [or cause] trouble,
and foolish talk will lead to your ruin.

11 The ·words [L mouth] of a ·good [righteous] person ·give life, like a fountain of water [L is a fountain of life],
but the ·words [L mouth] of the wicked ·contain nothing but [conceals] violence.

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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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13 ·Wise people speak with understanding [L Wisdom is found on understanding lips],
but ·people without wisdom should be punished [L a rod is for the backs of those who lack sense/heart].

14 The wise ·don’t tell [store up; treasure] everything they know,
but the ·foolish talk too much and are ruined [L mouth of a fool means imminent ruin].

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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 ·Wise people speak with understanding [L Wisdom is found on understanding lips],
but ·people without wisdom should be punished [L a rod is for the backs of those who lack sense/heart].

14 The wise ·don’t tell [store up; treasure] everything they know,
but the ·foolish talk too much and are ruined [L mouth of a fool means imminent ruin].

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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 Gossips ·can’t keep [L go/walk around revealing] secrets,
but a trustworthy person ·can [keeps a confidence; L covers up a word].

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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 Evil people are trapped by their ·evil [offensive] talk,
but ·good [righteous] people ·stay out of trouble [escape from distress].

14 People will be rewarded for ·what they say [L the fruit of their mouth],
and they will also be rewarded for ·what they do [L the work of their hands].

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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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16 Fools quickly show that they are upset,
but the ·wise [prudent] ·ignore [conceal; hide] ·insults [contempt].

17 An honest witness tells the truth,
but a dishonest witness tells lies.

18 ·Careless [Chattering] words stab like a sword,
but ·wise words bring [L a wise tongue brings] healing.

19 ·Truth [L Truthful lips] will continue forever,
but ·lies are [L a lying tongue lasts] only for a moment.

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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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22 The Lord ·hates [detests] ·those who tell lies [false lips]
but ·is pleased with [favors] those who ·keep their promises [do what is true].

23 ·Wise [Prudent] people ·keep what they know to themselves [L conceal/hide their knowledge],
but ·fools can’t keep from showing how foolish they are [L the heart of fools proclaim their stupidity].

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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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25 ·Worry [Anxiety] ·is a heavy load [leads to depression],
but a ·kind [good] word cheers you up.

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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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People will ·be rewarded for what they say [L eat well from the fruit of their mouth],
but ·those who can’t be trusted [the faithless] ·want only [L have an appetite for] violence.

Those who ·are careful about what they say [L watch/guard their mouth] protect their lives,
but whoever ·speaks without thinking [L spreads their lips wide] will be ruined.

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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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·Fools will be punished for their proud words [The talk of fools is a rod for their back; or In the mouth of fools is a sprig of pride],
but the ·words [L lips] of the wise will protect them.

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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.