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

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

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

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

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

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

19 Better a poor man who lives with integrity(A)
than someone who has deceitful lips and is 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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10 Drive out a mocker,(A) and conflict goes too;
then quarreling and dishonor will cease.(B)

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:9 Or neighbor
  2. Proverbs 25:10 Lit and your evil report will not turn back

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

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

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