26 One who gives [a]a right answer
Kisses the lips.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:26 Or an honest

26 A kiss on the lips—
    that’s what someone who gives an honest answer deserves.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:26 The Heb. lacks deserves

Do not go out (A)hastily to [a]argue your case;
[b]Otherwise, what will you do in [c]the end,
When your neighbor humiliates you?
[d](B)Argue your case with your neighbor,
And (C)do not reveal the secret of another,
10 Or one who hears it will put you to shame,
And the evil report about you will not [e]pass away.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:8 Lit contend
  2. Proverbs 25:8 Lit Lest
  3. Proverbs 25:8 Lit its
  4. Proverbs 25:9 Lit Contend
  5. Proverbs 25:10 Lit return

don’t be in a hurry to argue in court.
Otherwise, what will you do later on
    when your neighbor humiliates you?
Instead, take up the matter with your neighbor,
    and don’t betray another person’s confidence.
10 Otherwise, anyone who hears will make you ashamed,
    and your bad reputation will never leave you.

Read full chapter

11 Like apples of gold in settings of silver,
Is a (A)word spoken at [a]the proper time.
12 Like [b]an (B)earring of gold and a (C)jewelry piece of (D)fine gold,
Is a wise person who offers rebukes to a (E)listening ear.
13 Like the cold of snow in the [c]time of harvest
Is a (F)faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 Like (G)clouds and (H)wind without rain
Is a person who boasts [d]of his gifts falsely.
15 Through [e](I)patience a ruler may be persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks bone.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:11 Lit its time
  2. Proverbs 25:12 Or a nose ring
  3. Proverbs 25:13 Lit day
  4. Proverbs 25:14 Lit in a gift of falsehood
  5. Proverbs 25:15 Lit length of anger

11 Like golden apples set in silver
    is a word spoken at the right time.
12 Like a gold earring and a necklace of pure gold
    is a wise reprover to a listening ear.

13 Like cold snow during harvest time
    is a faithful messenger to those who send him;
        he refreshes his masters.
14 Like clouds and winds without rain
    is the man who brags
        about gifts he never gave.

15 Through patience a ruler may be persuaded;
    a gentle word[a] can break a bone.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:15 Lit. tongue

20 Like one who takes off a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar on [a]soda,
Is one who sings songs to [b]a troubled heart.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:20 I.e., natron
  2. Proverbs 25:20 Lit an evil

20 Taking your coat off when it’s cold
    or pouring vinegar on soda—
        that’s what singing songs does to a heavy heart.

Read full chapter

(A)Do not answer a fool [a]according to his foolishness,
Or you will also be like him.
(B)Answer a fool as his foolishness deserves,
So that he will not be (C)wise in his own eyes.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:4 I.e., taking his question or argument seriously

Don’t answer a fool according to his foolishness,
    or you will be just like him.
Answer a fool according to his foolishness,
    or he will think himself to be wise.

Read full chapter

17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears,
So is one who passes by and [a]meddles with (A)strife not belonging to him.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:17 Lit infuriates himself

17 Picking up a dog by the ears—
    that’s what someone is like who[a] meddles in another’s fight.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:17 Lit. who, as he is passing by,

18 Like a maniac who shoots
(A)Flaming arrows, arrows, and death,
19 So is a person who (B)deceives his neighbor,
And says, “(C)Was I not joking?”

Read full chapter

18 Like the maniac who shoots
    fiery darts and deadly arrows—
19 that’s what someone is like who lies to his neighbor
    and then says, “I was joking, wasn’t I?”

Read full chapter

23 One who (A)rebukes a person will afterward find more favor
Than one who (B)flatters with the tongue.

Read full chapter

23 Whoever rebukes a man will later on find more favor
    than someone who flatters with his words.[a]

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:23 Lit. tongue

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

Read full chapter

20 Do you see a man who speaks hastily?
    There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Read full chapter