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1The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold, 2and the LORD tests hearts.
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An evildoer listens to wicked lips, and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
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Whoever mocks the poor 3insults his Maker; he who is 4glad at calamity will not go 5unpunished.
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6Grandchildren are 7the crown of the aged, and the glory of children is their fathers.
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Fine speech is not 8becoming to a fool; still less is 9false speech to a prince.
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10A bribe is like a magic stone in the eyes of the one who gives it; wherever he turns he prospers.
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Whoever 11covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter 12separates close friends.
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A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.
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An evil man seeks only rebellion, and 13a cruel messenger will be sent against him.
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Let a man meet 14a she-bear robbed of her cubs 15rather than a fool in his folly.
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If anyone 16returns evil for good, 17evil will not depart from his house.
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The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so 18quit before the quarrel breaks out.
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He who 19justifies the wicked and he who 20condemns the righteous are both alike an abomination to the LORD.
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Why should a fool have money in his hand 21to buy wisdom when he has no sense?
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22A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.
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One who lacks sense gives a pledge and puts up security in the presence of his neighbor.
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Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who 23makes his door high seeks destruction.
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24A man of crooked heart does not discover good, and one with a dishonest tongue falls into calamity.
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He who 25sires a fool gets himself sorrow, and the father of a fool has no joy.
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26A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit 27dries up the bones.
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The wicked accepts 28a bribe in secret to 29pervert the ways of justice.