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

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:26 The Heb. lacks deserves

    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

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.

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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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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.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 25:15 Lit. tongue

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

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

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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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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.

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

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Footnotes

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

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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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?”

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:23 Lit. tongue

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

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