With his mouth the ungodly destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous are rescued.

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With their words, the godless destroy their friends,
    but knowledge will rescue the righteous.

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The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,(A)
but the speech of the upright rescues them.(B)

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The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
    but the words of the godly save lives.

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27 A worthless person digs up evil,
and his speech is like a scorching fire.(A)

28 A contrary person spreads conflict,
and a gossip separates close friends.(B)

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27 Scoundrels create trouble;
    their words are a destructive blaze.

28 A troublemaker plants seeds of strife;
    gossip separates the best of friends.

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The one who mocks the poor insults his Maker,(A)
and one who rejoices over calamity
will not go unpunished.(B)

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Those who mock the poor insult their Maker;
    those who rejoice at the misfortune of others will be punished.

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Whoever conceals an offense promotes love,(A)
but whoever gossips about it separates friends.(B)

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Love prospers when a fault is forgiven,
    but dwelling on it separates close friends.

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A fool’s lips lead to strife,
and his mouth provokes a beating.(A)

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Fools’ words get them into constant quarrels;
    they are asking for a beating.

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A gossip’s words are like choice food
that goes down to one’s innermost being.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 18:8 Lit to the chambers of the belly

Rumors are dainty morsels
    that sink deep into one’s heart.

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19 Better a poor person who lives with integrity(A)
than someone who has deceitful lips and is a fool.

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19 Better to be poor and honest
    than to be dishonest and a fool.

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19 The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip;(A)
avoid someone with a big mouth.(B)

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19 A gossip goes around telling secrets,
    so don’t hang around with chatterers.

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10 Drive out a mocker,(A) and conflict goes too;
then quarreling and dishonor will cease.(B)

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10 Throw out the mocker, and fighting goes, too.
    Quarrels and insults will disappear.

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Make your case with your opponent
without revealing another’s secret;(A)
10 otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you,
and you’ll never live it down.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 25:10 Lit and your evil report will not turn back

When arguing with your neighbor,
    don’t betray another person’s secret.
10 Others may accuse you of gossip,
    and you will never regain your good reputation.

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23 The north wind produces rain,
and a backbiting tongue, angry looks.

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23 As surely as a north wind brings rain,
    so a gossiping tongue causes anger!

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20 Without wood, fire goes out;
without a gossip, conflict dies down.(A)
21 As charcoal for embers and wood for fire,
so is a quarrelsome person for kindling strife.(B)
22 A gossip’s words are like choice food
that goes down to one’s innermost being.[a](C)

23 Smooth[b] lips with an evil heart
are like glaze on an earthen vessel.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 26:22 Lit to the chambers of the belly
  2. 26:23 LXX; MT reads Burning

20 Fire goes out without wood,
    and quarrels disappear when gossip stops.

21 A quarrelsome person starts fights
    as easily as hot embers light charcoal or fire lights wood.

22 Rumors are dainty morsels
    that sink deep into one’s heart.

23 Smooth[a] words may hide a wicked heart,
    just as a pretty glaze covers a clay pot.

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Footnotes

  1. 26:23 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads Burning.