10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

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10 The heart knows its own bitterness,
and no outsider shares in its joy.

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13 Even in laughter(A) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

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13 Even in laughter a heart may be sad,
and joy may end in grief.(A)

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13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(A)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(B)

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13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(A)

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22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed(A) spirit dries up the bones.(B)

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22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.(A)

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14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
    but a crushed spirit who can bear?(A)

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14 A person’s spirit can endure sickness,
but who can survive a broken spirit?(A)

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20 Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day,
    or like vinegar poured on a wound,
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.

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20 Singing songs to a troubled heart
is like taking off clothing on a cold day
or like pouring vinegar on soda.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. 25:20 Lit natron, or sodium carbonate

11 Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;(A)
    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.(B)

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11 Be wise, my son, and bring my heart joy,(A)
so that I can answer anyone who taunts me.(B)

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Evildoers are snared by their own sin,(A)
    but the righteous shout for joy and are glad.

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An evil person is caught by sin,(A)
but the righteous one sings and rejoices.(B)

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