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

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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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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.


A faithful and trustworthy witness will not lie,
But a false witness speaks lies.

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Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

15 A soft and gentle and thoughtful answer turns away wrath,
But harsh and painful and careless words stir up anger.(A)

The tongue of the wise speaks knowledge that is pleasing and acceptable,
But the [babbling] mouth of fools spouts folly.

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A soothing tongue [speaking words that build up and encourage] is a tree of life,
But a perversive tongue [speaking words that overwhelm and depress] crushes the spirit.

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The lips of the wise spread knowledge [sifting it as chaff from the grain];
But the hearts of [shortsighted] fools are not so.

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23 
A man has joy in giving an appropriate answer,
And how good and delightful is a word spoken at the right moment—how good it is!

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26 
Evil plans and thoughts of the wicked are exceedingly vile and offensive to the Lord,
But pure words are pleasant words to Him.

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28 
The heart of the righteous thinks carefully about how to answer [in a wise and appropriate and timely way],
But the [babbling] mouth of the wicked pours out malevolent things.(A)

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Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

16 The plans and reflections of the heart belong to man,
But the [wise] answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

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10 
A divine decision [given by God] is on the lips of the king [as His representative];
His mouth should not be unfaithful or unjust in judgment.(A)

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13 
Righteous lips are the delight of kings,
And he who speaks right is loved.

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21 
The wise in heart will be called understanding,
And sweet speech increases persuasiveness and learning [in both speaker and listener].

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23 
The heart of the wise instructs his mouth [in wisdom]
And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 
Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.

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27 
A worthless man devises and digs up evil,
And the words on his lips are like a scorching fire.

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Whoever mocks the poor taunts his Maker,
And he who rejoices at [another’s] disaster will not go unpunished.(A)

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