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Fine words are not becoming to a fool,
    and much less are false words to a noble.
A bribe is like a magic stone to one who offers it;
    wherever he turns, he meets with success.[a]
One who forgives a misdeed fosters friendship,
    but he who divulges it separates good friends.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:8 Such is human behavior that bribes open doors (see v. 23; 18:16; 21:14), but both bribe-giving and bribe-taking are evil acts that corrupt the human heart and are abhorrent to the Lord (see Deut 10:17) who condemns them (see Prov 15:27; Deut 16:19; 1 Sam 12:3; Ps 26:10; Eccl 7:7; Isa 1:23; 33:15; Am 5:12; 1 Tim 6:10).

Eloquent lips are unsuited to a godless fool—
    how much worse lying lips to a ruler!(A)

A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it;
    they think success will come at every turn.(B)

Whoever would foster love covers over an offense,(C)
    but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.(D)

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