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1A soft answer turns away wrath, but 2a harsh word stirs up anger.
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The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but 3the mouths of fools pour out folly.
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4The eyes of the LORD are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.
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5A gentle tongue is 6a tree of life, but 7perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
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8A fool 9despises his father's instruction, but 10whoever heeds reproof is prudent.
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In the house of the righteous there is much treasure, but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.
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11The lips of the wise spread knowledge; 12not so the hearts of fools.
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13The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but 14the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
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The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but he loves him 15who pursues righteousness.
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There is 16severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; 17whoever hates reproof will die.
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Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more 18the hearts of the children of man!
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19A scoffer 20does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.