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1A gentle tongue is 2a tree of life, but 3perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
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4A fool 5despises his father's instruction, but 6whoever 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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7The lips of the wise spread knowledge; 8not so the hearts of fools.
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9The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but 10the 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 11who pursues righteousness.
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There is 12severe discipline for him who forsakes the way; 13whoever hates reproof will die.
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Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD; how much more 14the hearts of the children of man!
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15A scoffer 16does not like to be reproved; he will not go to the wise.
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17A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by 18sorrow of heart the spirit is 19crushed.
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20The heart of him who has understanding seeks knowledge, but the mouths of fools feed on folly.
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All the days of the afflicted are evil, but 21the cheerful of heart has a continual feast.
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22Better is a little with the fear of the LORD than great treasure and trouble with it.
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23Better is a dinner of herbs where love is than 24a fattened ox and hatred with it.
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25A hot-tempered man 26stirs up strife, but he who is 27slow to anger quiets contention.
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The way of 28a sluggard is like a hedge of 29thorns, but the path of the upright is 30a level highway.
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31A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish man despises his mother.
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32Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding 33walks straight ahead.
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34Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.
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To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and 35a word in season, how good it is!
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The path of life leads upward 36for the prudent, that he may turn away from Sheol beneath.