Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
    whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.(A)
Do not rebuke mockers(B) or they will hate you;
    rebuke the wise and they will love you.(C)
Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
    teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.(D)

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General Maxims

Whoever corrects a scoffer wins abuse;
    whoever rebukes the wicked gets hurt.(A)
Do not rebuke a scoffer, lest he hate you;
    rebuke the wise, and he will love you.(B)
Give instruction[a] to the wise, and they will become wiser still;
    teach the righteous, and they will gain in learning.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 9.9 Heb lacks instruction

10 Whoever winks maliciously(A) causes grief,
    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

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 Whoever winks the eye causes trouble,
    but one who rebukes boldly makes peace.[a](A)
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 10.10 Gk: Heb but one with foolish lips will come to ruin

13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,(A)
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.(B)

14 The wise store up knowledge,(C)
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.(D)

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

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13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,(A)
    but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.(B)

14 The wise store up knowledge,(C)
    but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.(D)

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

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13 A gossip betrays a confidence,(A)
    but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.(B)

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13 A gossip goes about telling secrets,
    but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence.(A)

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13 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(A)
    and so the innocent escape trouble.(B)

14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(C)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.(D)

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13 The evil are ensnared by the transgression of their lips,
    but the righteous escape from trouble.(A)
14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,
    and manual labor has its reward.(B)

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16 Fools(A) show their annoyance at once,(B)
    but the prudent overlook an insult.(C)

17 An honest witness tells the truth,
    but a false witness tells lies.(D)

18 The words of the reckless pierce like swords,(E)
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(F)

19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.

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16 Fools show their anger at once,
    but the prudent ignore an insult.(A)
17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
    but a false witness speaks deceitfully.(B)
18 Rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.(C)
19 Truthful lips endure forever,
    but a lying tongue lasts only a moment.(D)

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22 The Lord detests lying lips,(A)
    but he delights(B) in people who are trustworthy.(C)

23 The prudent keep their knowledge to themselves,(D)
    but a fool’s heart blurts out folly.(E)

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22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.(A)
23 One who is clever conceals knowledge,
    but the mind of a fool[a] broadcasts folly.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 12.23 Heb the heart of fools

25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(A)
    but a kind word cheers it up.

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25 Anxiety weighs down the human heart,
    but a good word cheers it up.(A)

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From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(A)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

Those who guard their lips(B) preserve their lives,(C)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(D)

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From the fruit of their words good persons eat good things,
    but the desire of the treacherous is for wrongdoing.
Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives;
    those who open wide their lips come to ruin.(A)

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A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride,(A)
    but the lips of the wise protect them.(B)

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The talk of fools is a rod for their backs,[a]
    but the lips of the wise preserve them.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 14.3 Cn: Heb a rod of pride