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He who guards his mouth makes his life secure,
    but one who talks excessively ensures his own downfall.[a]
The idler[b] craves for food and remains unsatisfied,
    but the appetite of the diligent is fully sated.
The righteous man hates words that are deceitful,
    but the evildoer slanders and defames.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:3 The tongue has the power over life and death (see Prov 10:19; 18:21; 21:23; Jas 3:6).
  2. Proverbs 13:4 Idler: see note on Prov 6:6.

Those who guard their lips(A) preserve their lives,(B)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(C)

A sluggard’s appetite is never filled,(D)
    but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied.

The righteous hate what is false,(E)
    but the wicked make themselves a stench
    and bring shame on themselves.

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