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General Maxims

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:9 Heb lacks instruction

10 He who winks the eye causes trouble,
    but he who boldly reproves makes peace.[a]
11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:10 Gk: Heb but a prating fool will come to ruin

13 On the lips of him who has understanding wisdom is found,
    but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
14 Wise men lay up knowledge,
    but the babbling of a fool brings ruin near.

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13 On the lips of him who has understanding wisdom is found,
    but a rod is for the back of him who lacks sense.
14 Wise men lay up knowledge,
    but the babbling of a fool brings ruin near.

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13 He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets,
    but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing hidden.

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13 An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips,
    but the righteous escapes from trouble.
14 From the fruit of his words a man is satisfied with good,
    and the work of a man’s hand comes back to him.

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16 The vexation of a fool is known at once,
    but the prudent man ignores an insult.
17 He who speaks the truth gives honest evidence,
    but a false witness utters deceit.
18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
19 Truthful lips endure for ever,
    but a lying tongue is but for a moment.

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22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.
23 A prudent man conceals his knowledge,
    but fools[a] proclaim their folly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:23 Heb the heart of fools

25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down,
    but a good word makes him glad.

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From the fruit of his mouth a good man eats good,
    but the desire of the treacherous is for violence.
He who guards his mouth preserves his life;
    he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

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The talk of a fool is a rod for his back,[a]
    but the lips of the wise will preserve them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:3 Cn: Heb a rod of pride

A faithful witness does not lie,
    but a false witness breathes out lies.

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15 A soft answer turns away wrath,
but a harsh word stirs up anger.
The tongue of the wise dispenses knowledge,[a]
    but the mouths of fools pour out folly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:2 Cn: Heb makes knowledge good

A gentle tongue is a tree of life,
    but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.

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The lips of the wise spread knowledge;
    not so the minds of fools.

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23 To make an apt answer is a joy to a man,
    and a word in season, how good it is!

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26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,
    the words of the pure are pleasing to him.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:26 Cn Compare Gk: Heb pleasant words are pure

28 The mind of the righteous ponders how to answer,
    but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.

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16 The plans of the mind belong to man,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

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10 Inspired decisions are on the lips of a king;
    his mouth does not sin in judgment.

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13 Righteous lips are the delight of a king,
    and he loves him who speaks what is right.

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21 The wise of heart is called a man of discernment,
    and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.

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23 The mind of the wise makes his speech judicious,
    and adds persuasiveness to his lips.
24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

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27 A worthless man plots evil,
    and his speech is like a scorching fire.

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He who mocks the poor insults his Maker;
    he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.

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