26 He who gives a right answer kisses the lips.

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

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(A)Do not go hastily to [a]court;
For what will you do in the end,
When your neighbor has put you to shame?
(B)Debate your case with your neighbor,
And do not disclose the secret to another;
10 Lest he who hears it expose your shame,
And [b]your reputation be ruined.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:8 Lit. contend or bring a lawsuit
  2. Proverbs 25:10 the evil report concerning you not pass away

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

11 A word fitly (A)spoken is like apples of gold
In settings of silver.
12 Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold
Is a wise rebuker to an obedient ear.

13 (B)Like the cold of snow in time of harvest
Is a faithful messenger to those who send him,
For he refreshes the soul of his masters.

14 (C)Whoever falsely boasts of giving
Is like (D)clouds and wind without rain.

15 (E)By long forbearance a ruler is persuaded,
And a gentle tongue breaks a bone.

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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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20 Like one who takes away a garment in cold weather,
And like vinegar on soda,
Is one who (A)sings songs to a heavy heart.

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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

Do not answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest you also be like him.
(A)Answer a fool according to his folly,
Lest he be wise in his own eyes.

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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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17 He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own
Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.

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

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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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23 (A)He who rebukes a man will find more favor afterward
Than he who flatters with the tongue.

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

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