26 He who gives an honest answer
gives a kiss on the lips.

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26 An honest answer
    is like a kiss of friendship.

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Don’t take a matter to court hastily.(A)
Otherwise, what will you do afterward
if your opponent[a] humiliates you?
Make your case with your opponent
without revealing another’s secret;(B)
10 otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you,
and you’ll never live it down.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 25:8 Or neighbor, also in v. 9
  2. 25:10 Lit and your evil report will not turn back

    don’t be in a hurry to go to court.
For what will you do in the end
    if your neighbor deals you a shameful defeat?

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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11 A word spoken at the right time
is like gold apples in silver settings.(A)
12 A wise correction to a receptive ear(B)
is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.

13 To those who send him, a trustworthy envoy
is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day;
he refreshes the life of his masters.(C)

14 The one who boasts about a gift that does not exist
is like clouds and wind without rain.(D)
15 A ruler can be persuaded through patience,
and a gentle tongue can break a bone.(E)

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11 Timely advice is lovely,
    like golden apples in a silver basket.

12 To one who listens, valid criticism
    is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

13 Trustworthy messengers refresh like snow in summer.
    They revive the spirit of their employer.

14 A person who promises a gift but doesn’t give it
    is like clouds and wind that bring no rain.

15 Patience can persuade a prince,
    and soft speech can break bones.

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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

20 Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart
    is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather
    or pouring vinegar in a wound.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 25:20 As in Greek version; Hebrew reads pouring vinegar on soda.

Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness(A)
or you’ll be like him yourself.
Answer a fool according to his foolishness(B)
or he’ll become wise in his own eyes.(C)

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Don’t answer the foolish arguments of fools,
    or you will become as foolish as they are.

Be sure to answer the foolish arguments of fools,
    or they will become wise in their own estimation.

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17 A person who is passing by and meddles in a quarrel that’s not his
is like one who grabs a dog by the ears.

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17 Interfering in someone else’s argument
    is as foolish as yanking a dog’s ears.

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18 Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows,(A)
19 so is the person who deceives his neighbor
and says, “I was only joking!”

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18 Just as damaging
    as a madman shooting a deadly weapon
19 is someone who lies to a friend
    and then says, “I was only joking.”

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23 One who rebukes a person will later find more favor(A)
than one who flatters with his tongue.(B)

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23 In the end, people appreciate honest criticism
    far more than flattery.

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20 Do you see someone who speaks too soon?(A)
There is more hope for a fool than for him.(B)

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20 There is more hope for a fool
    than for someone who speaks without thinking.

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