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23 The shrewd conceal knowledge,
    but the hearts of fools proclaim folly.[a]
24 The diligent hand will govern,
    but sloth makes for forced labor.(A)
25 Worry weighs down the heart,
    but a kind word gives it joy.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 12:23 “Knowledge” here is “what one knows, has in one’s heart,” not knowledge in general. Fools reveal all they have stored in their heart and it naturally turns out to be folly. Revealing and concealing are constant themes in Proverbs.