15 A gentle answer(A) turns away wrath,(B)
    but a harsh word stirs up anger.

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15 A gentle answer deflects anger,
    but harsh words make tempers flare.

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18 A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict,(A)
    but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.(B)

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18 A hot-tempered person starts fights;
    a cool-tempered person stops them.

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32 Better a patient person than a warrior,
    one with self-control than one who takes a city.

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32 Better to be patient than powerful;
    better to have self-control than to conquer a city.

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17 Better a dry crust with peace and quiet
    than a house full of feasting, with strife.(A)

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17 Better a dry crust eaten in peace
    than a house filled with feasting—and conflict.

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14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
    so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.(A)

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14 Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate,
    so stop before a dispute breaks out.

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19 Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin;
    whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.

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19 Anyone who loves to quarrel loves sin;
    anyone who trusts in high walls invites disaster.

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27 The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint,(A)
    and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.(B)

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27 A truly wise person uses few words;
    a person with understanding is even-tempered.

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18 Casting the lot settles disputes(A)
    and keeps strong opponents apart.

19 A brother wronged(B) is more unyielding than a fortified city;
    disputes are like the barred gates of a citadel.

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18 Flipping a coin[a] can end arguments;
    it settles disputes between powerful opponents.

19 An offended friend is harder to win back than a fortified city.
    Arguments separate friends like a gate locked with bars.

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Footnotes

  1. 18:18 Hebrew Casting lots.

11 A person’s wisdom yields patience;(A)
    it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

12 A king’s rage is like the roar of a lion,(B)
    but his favor is like dew(C) on the grass.(D)

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11 Sensible people control their temper;
    they earn respect by overlooking wrongs.

12 The king’s anger is like a lion’s roar,
    but his favor is like dew on the grass.

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19 A hot-tempered person must pay the penalty;
    rescue them, and you will have to do it again.

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19 Hot-tempered people must pay the penalty.
    If you rescue them once, you will have to do it again.

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It is to one’s honor to avoid strife,
    but every fool(A) is quick to quarrel.(B)

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Avoiding a fight is a mark of honor;
    only fools insist on quarreling.

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22 Do not say, “I’ll pay you back for this wrong!”(A)
    Wait for the Lord, and he will avenge you.(B)

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22 Don’t say, “I will get even for this wrong.”
    Wait for the Lord to handle the matter.

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