When a man's folly (A)brings his way to ruin,
    his heart (B)rages against the Lord.

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A person’s own folly(A) leads to their ruin,
    yet their heart rages against the Lord.(B)

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It is an honor for a man to (A)keep aloof from strife,
    but every fool will be quarreling.

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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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20 (A)Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling,
    but a foolish man (B)devours it.

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20 The wise store up choice food and olive oil,
    but fools gulp theirs down.

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15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but (A)the rod of discipline drives it far from him.

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15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.(A)

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26 Like snow in summer or (A)rain in harvest,
    so (B)honor is (C)not fitting for a fool.
Like (D)a sparrow in its flitting, like a swallow in its flying,
    (E)a curse that is causeless does not alight.
(F)A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,
    and (G)a rod for the back of fools.
(H)Answer not a fool according to his folly,
    lest you be like him yourself.
(I)Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be (J)wise in his own eyes.
Whoever sends a message by the hand of a fool
    cuts off his own feet and (K)drinks violence.
Like a lame man's legs, which hang useless,
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
Like one who binds the stone in the sling
    is (L)one who gives honor to a fool.
Like (M)a thorn that goes up into the hand of a drunkard
    is a proverb in the mouth of fools.
10 Like an archer who wounds everyone
    is one who hires a passing fool or drunkard.[a]
11 Like (N)a dog that returns to his vomit
    is (O)a fool who repeats his folly.
12 Do you see a man who is (P)wise in his own eyes?
    (Q)There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:10 Or hires a fool or passersby

26 Like snow in summer or rain(A) in harvest,
    honor is not fitting for a fool.(B)
Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow,
    an undeserved curse does not come to rest.(C)
A whip for the horse, a bridle for the donkey,(D)
    and a rod for the backs of fools!(E)
Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
    or you yourself will be just like him.(F)
Answer a fool according to his folly,
    or he will be wise in his own eyes.(G)
Sending a message by the hands of a fool(H)
    is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.
Like the useless legs of one who is lame
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(I)
Like tying a stone in a sling
    is the giving of honor to a fool.(J)
Like a thornbush in a drunkard’s hand
    is a proverb in the mouth of a fool.(K)
10 Like an archer who wounds at random
    is one who hires a fool or any passer-by.
11 As a dog returns to its vomit,(L)
    so fools repeat their folly.(M)
12 Do you see a person wise in their own eyes?(N)
    There is more hope for a fool than for them.(O)

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26 Whoever (A)trusts in his own mind is a fool,
    but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

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26 Those who trust in themselves are fools,(A)
    but those who walk in wisdom are kept safe.(B)

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11 A fool gives full vent to his spirit,
    but a wise man quietly holds it back.

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11 Fools give full vent to their rage,(A)
    but the wise bring calm in the end.(B)

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32 If you have been foolish, exalting yourself,
    or if you have been devising evil,
    (A)put your hand on your mouth.

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32 “If you play the fool and exalt yourself,
    or if you plan evil,
    clap your hand over your mouth!(A)

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