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20 The perverse in heart come to no good,
    and the double-tongued fall into trouble.[a]
21 Whoever conceives a fool has grief;
    the father of a numskull has no joy.
22 A joyful heart is the health of the body,
    but a depressed spirit dries up the bones.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 17:20 The saying employs the familiar metaphors of walking = conducting oneself (“fall into trouble”), and of straight and crooked = right and wrong (“perverse,” “double-tongued”).

20 One whose heart is corrupt does not prosper;
    one whose tongue is perverse falls into trouble.

21 To have a fool for a child brings grief;
    there is no joy for the parent of a godless fool.(A)

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed(B) spirit dries up the bones.(C)

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