26 Whoever gives an honest answer
    kisses the lips.

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

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    (A)do not hastily bring into court,[a]
for[b] what will you do in the end,
    when your neighbor puts you to shame?
(B)Argue your case with your neighbor himself,
    and do not reveal another's secret,
10 lest he who hears you bring shame upon you,
    and your ill repute have no end.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:8 Or presence of a noble, as your eyes have seen. 8Do not go hastily out to court
  2. Proverbs 25:8 Hebrew or else

    do not hastily bring into court,
for[a] what will you do in the end,
    when your neighbor puts you to shame?(A)
Argue your case with your neighbor directly,
    and do not disclose another’s secret,(B)
10 or else someone who hears you will bring shame upon you,
    and your ill repute will have no end.

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Footnotes

  1. 25.8 Cn: Heb or else

11 (A)A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
12 Like (B)a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise reprover to (C)a listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
    is (D)a faithful messenger to those who send him;
    he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like (E)clouds and wind without rain
    is a man who (F)boasts of a gift he does not give.

15 With (G)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue will break a bone.

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11 A word fitly spoken
    is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.(A)
12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold
    is a wise rebuke to a listening ear.(B)
13 Like the cold of snow in the time of harvest
    are faithful messengers to those who send them;
    they refresh the spirit of their masters.(C)
14 Like clouds and wind without rain
    is one who boasts of a gift never given.(D)
15 With patience a ruler may be persuaded,
    and a soft tongue can break bones.(E)

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20 Whoever (A)sings songs to a heavy heart
    is like one who takes off a garment on a cold day,
    and like vinegar on soda.

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20 Like vinegar on a wound[a]
    is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
Like a moth in clothing or a worm in wood,
    sorrow gnaws at the human heart.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 25.20 Gk: Heb Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, like vinegar on lye
  2. 25.20 Gk Syr Tg: Heb lacks Like a moth . . . human heart

(A)Answer not a fool according to his folly,
    lest you be like him yourself.
(B)Answer a fool according to his folly,
    lest he be (C)wise in his own eyes.

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Do not answer fools according to their folly,
    lest you be a fool yourself.(A)
Answer fools according to their folly,
    lest they be wise in their own eyes.(B)

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17 Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own
    is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears.

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17 Like someone who takes a passing dog by the ears
    is one who meddles in the quarrel of another.(A)

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18 Like a madman who throws (A)firebrands, arrows, and death
19 is the man who deceives his neighbor
    and says, “I am only joking!”

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18 Like a maniac who shoots deadly firebrands and arrows,(A)
19 so is one who deceives a neighbor
    and says, “I am only joking!”(B)

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23 Whoever (A)rebukes a man will afterward find more favor
    than (B)he who flatters with his tongue.

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23 Whoever rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
    than one who flatters with the tongue.(A)

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20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
    (A)There is more hope for a fool than for him.

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20 Do you see someone who is hasty in speech?
    There is more hope for a fool than for anyone like that.(A)

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