Holman Christian Standard Bible CSB
New International Version NIV
8 Don't take a matter to court hastily. Otherwise, what will you do afterwards if your opponent humiliates you?
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do not bring hastily to court, for what will you do in the end if your neighbor puts you to shame?
9 Make your case with your opponent without revealing another's secret;
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If you take your neighbor to court, do not betray another’s confidence,
10 otherwise, the one who hears will disgrace you, and you'll never live it down.
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or the one who hears it may shame you and the charge against you will stand.
11 A word spoken at the right time is like golden apples on a silver tray.
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Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given.
12 A wise correction to a receptive ear is like a gold ring or an ornament of gold.
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Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is the rebuke of a wise judge to a listening ear.
13 To those who send him, a trustworthy messenger is like the coolness of snow on a harvest day; he refreshes the life of his masters.
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Like a snow-cooled drink at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to the one who sends him; he refreshes the spirit of his master.
14 The man who boasts about a gift that does not exist is like clouds and wind without rain.
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Like clouds and wind without rain is one who boasts of gifts never given.
15 A ruler can be persuaded through patience, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
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Through patience a ruler can be persuaded, and a gentle tongue can break a bone.
16 If you find honey, eat only what you need; otherwise, you'll get sick from it and vomit.
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If you find honey, eat just enough— too much of it, and you will vomit.
17 Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house; otherwise, he'll get sick of you and hate you.
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Seldom set foot in your neighbor’s house— too much of you, and they will hate you.
18 A man giving false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
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Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is one who gives false testimony against a neighbor.
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.