Proverbs Comparisons - The Bible and Septuagint

Comparing the Masoretic Text (KJV) with the Septuagint (LXX)

Richard Anthony


This chart will compare the difference between the Masoretic Hebrew (the text all Old Testament bibles are based upon) and the Septuagint (the only existing translation of the original Hebrew scripture in existence from before the time of Christ). Please notice how some verses are vague, some confusing, and some contradictory in the Masoretic Text, while the Septuagint Text is very clear, simple, and revealing.

King James
Old Testament

Translated from Masoretic Hebrew texts

1000 A.D.

Septuagint
Manuscripts

Translated from Original Hebrew texts to Greek

285 B.C.

Comments
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Relationship between the Righteous and the Ungodly

Proverbs 21:12, "The righteous man wisely considereth the house of the wicked: but God overthroweth the wicked for their wickedness." Proverbs 21:12, "A righteous man understands the hearts of the ungodly: and despises the ungodly for their wickedness." -
Proverbs 21:15, "It is joy to the just to do judgment: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity." Proverbs 21:15, "It is the joy of the righteous to do judgment: but a holy man is abominable with evil-doers." -
Proverbs 21:18, "The wicked shall be a ransom for the righteous, and the transgressor for the upright." Proverbs 21:18, "and a transgressor is the abomination of a righteous man." What does this verse mean in the Masoretic Text?
Proverbs 21:22, "A wise man scaleth the city of the mighty, and casteth down the strength of the confidence thereof." Proverbs 21:22, "A wise man assaults strong cities, and demolishes the fortress in which the ungodly trusted." -
Proverbs 21:24, "Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath." Proverbs 21:24, "A bold and self-willed and insolent man is called a pest: and he that remembers injuries is a transgressor." -
Proverbs 21:26, "He coveteth greedily all the day long: but the righteous giveth and spareth not." Proverbs 21:26, "An ungodly man entertains evil desires all the day: but the righteous is unsparingly merciful and compassionate." -
Proverbs 21:30, "There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against the LORD." Proverbs 21:30, "There is no wisdom, there is no courage, there is no counsel against the ungodly." -
Proverbs 24:15, "Lay not wait, O wicked man, against the dwelling of the righteous; spoil not his resting place:" Proverbs 24:15, "Bring not an ungodly man into the dwelling of the righteous: neither be deceived by the feeding of the belly." What does this verse mean in the Masoretic Text? Compare the Septuagint verse with 2 John 1:10, "If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed."
Proverbs 24:30-31, "I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down." Proverbs 24:30-31, "A foolish man is like a farm, and a senseless man is like a vineyard. If thou let him alone, he will altogether remain barren and covered with weeds; and he becomes destitute, and his stone walls are broken down." The Masoretic Text does not explain WHY this field is barren. The Septuagint explains the reason is because he was not cared or helped by anyone.
Proverbs 27:21, "As the fining pot for silver, and the furnace for gold; so is a man to his praise." Proverbs 27:21, "Fire is the trial for silver and gold; and a man is tried by the mouth of them that praise him. The heart of the transgressor seeks after mischiefs; but an upright heart seeks knowledge." What is the connection in the Masoretic verse? It is very unclear. Whereas the Septuagint is very revealing.
Proverbs 28:2, "For the transgression of a land many are the princes thereof: but by a man of understanding and knowledge the state thereof shall be prolonged." Proverbs 28:2, "By reason of the sins of ungodly men quarrels arise; but a wise man will quell them." Notice that the Masoretic Text rarely gives the REASONS behind these events. Reasons are very important for understanding why things are the way they are.
Proverbs 28:22, "He that hasteth to be rich hath an evil eye, and considereth not that poverty shall come upon him." Proverbs 28:22, "An envious man makes haste to be rich, and knows not that the merciful man will have the mastery over him." -
Proverbs 29:10, "The bloodthirsty hate the upright: but the just seek his soul." Proverbs 29:10, "Bloody men hate a holy person, but the upright will seek his soul." -

Hiding the Seriousness of Ungodliness and the Penalty of Transgressors

Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction." Proverbs 1:7, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; and there is good understanding to all that practice it: and piety toward God is the beginning of discernment; but the ungodly will set at nought wisdom and instruction." -
Proverbs 1:19, "So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof." Proverbs 1:19, "These are the ways of all that perform lawless deeds; for by ungodliness they destroy their own life." -
Proverbs 1:22, "How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?" Proverbs 1:22, "So long as the simple cleave to justice, they shall not be ashamed: but the foolish being lovers of haughtiness having become ungodly have hated knowledge, and are become subject to reproofs." -
Proverbs 6:12,16, "A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth. These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:" Proverbs 6:12,16, "A foolish man and a transgressor goes in ways that are not good. For he rejoices in all things which God hates, and he is ruined by reason of impurity of soul." -
Proverbs 20:30, "The blueness of a wound cleanseth away evil: so do stripes the inward parts of the belly." Proverbs 20:30, "Bruises and contusions befall bad men; and plagues shall come into the inward parts of their belly." What does this verse mean in the Masoretic Text?
Proverbs 21:7, "The robbery of the wicked shall destroy them; because they refuse to do judgment." Proverbs 21:7, "Destruction shall lodge with the ungodly; for they refuse to do justly." Just who does the "them" and "they" refer to in the Masoretic verse? This verse is very vague. And where does scripture condemn people for not doing "judgment"? Scripture condemns people for not doing "justly"!
Proverbs 22:8, "He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail." Proverbs 22:8, "He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but a man shall fully prove the folly of his works." The Masoretic Text sounds like those who sow iniquity will not receive any punishment, only vanity (whatever that means). But the Septuagint reveals the Truth of the result of their evil deeds.
Proverbs 24:21-22, "My son, fear thou the LORD and the king: and meddle not with them that are given to change: For their calamity shall rise suddenly; and who knoweth the ruin of them both?" Proverbs 24:21-22, "My son, fear God and the king; and do not disobey either of them. For they will suddenly punish the ungodly, and who can know the vengeance inflicted by both?" The Masoretic Text says that both the Lord and the king will both be ruined! The Septuagint is more in line with scriptures by saying the Lord and the king will inflict vengeance on the ungodly...not the other way around, as the Masoretes say!
Proverbs 25:19, "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint." Proverbs 25:19, "The way of the wicked and the foot of the transgressor shall perish in an evil day." -
Proverbs 27:12, "A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and hideth himself; but the simple pass on, and are punished." Proverbs 27:12, "A wise man, when evils are approaching, hides himself; but fools pass on, and will be punished." -
Proverbs 28:10, "Whoso causeth the righteous to go astray in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession." Proverbs 28:10, "He that causes upright men to err in an evil way, himself shall fall into destruction: transgressors also shall pass by prosperity but shall not enter into it." -
Proverbs 28:20, "A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that maketh haste to be rich shall not be innocent." Proverbs 28:20, "A man worthy of credit shall be much blessed: but the wicked shall not be unpunished." -
Proverbs 28:24, "Whoso robbeth his father or his mother, and saith, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer." Proverbs 28:24, "He that casts off father or mother, and thinks he sins not; the same is partaker with an ungodly man." -
Proverbs 30:32, "If thou hast done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth." Proverbs 30:32, "If thou abandon thyself to mirth, and stretch forth thine hand in a quarrel, thou shalt be disgraced." -

Judging: Righteousness and Ungodliness

Proverbs 28:25, "He that is of a proud heart stirreth up strife: but he that putteth his trust in the LORD shall be made fat." Proverbs 28:25, "An unbelieving man judges rashly: but he that trusts in the Lord will act carefully." So, you will be "fat" if you put your trust in the Lord? What does this mean?
Proverbs 29:7, "The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it." Proverbs 29:7, "A righteous man knows how to judge for the poor: but the ungodly understands not knowledge; and the poor man has not an understanding mind." -

Wealth: blurring the difference between Iniquity and Godliness

Proverbs 13:11, "Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: but he that gathereth by labour shall increase." Proverbs 13:11, "Wealth gotten hastily with iniquity is diminished: but he that gathers for himself with godliness shall be increased. The righteous is merciful, and lends." The Masoretic Text leaves out the fact that only labour with "godliness" will increase his wealth.
Proverbs 15:5-6, "A fool despiseth his father's instruction: but he that regardeth reproof is prudent. In the house of the righteous is much treasure: but in the revenues of the wicked is trouble." Proverbs 15:5-6, "A fool scorns his father's instruction: but he that keeps his commandments is more prudent. In abounding righteousness is great strength: but the ungodly shall utterly perish from the earth. In the houses of the righteous is much strength: but the fruits of the ungodly shall perish." -
Proverbs 19:22, "The desire of a man is his kindness: and a poor man is better than a liar." Proverbs 19:22, "Mercy is a fruit to a man: and a poor man is better than a rich liar." This verse is comparing poor men to rich men. The Masoretic text leaves this distinction out.
Proverbs 20:10-11, "Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. Even a child is known by his doings, whether his work be pure, and whether it be right." Proverbs 20:10-11, "A large and small weight, and divers measures, are even both of them unclean before the Lord; and so is he that makes them. A youth when in company with a godly man, will be restrained in his devices, and then his way will be straight." -
Proverbs 28:11, "The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that hath understanding searcheth him out." Proverbs 28:11, "A rich man is wise in his own conceit; but an intelligent poor man will condemn him." -
Proverbs 28:19, "He that tilleth his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that followeth after vain persons shall have poverty enough." Proverbs 28:19, "He that tills his own land shall be satisfied with bread: but he that follows idleness shall have plenty of poverty." -

Surety

Proverbs 6:1,3, "My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend." Proverbs 6:1,3, "My son, if thou become surety for thy friend, thou shalt deliver thine hand to an enemy. My son, do what I command thee, and deliver thyself; for on thy friend's account thou art come into the power of evil men: faint not, but stir up even thy friend for whom thou art become surety." When you become surety, you'll be delivered to an enemy as God's chastisement, because surety is against God's Law.
Proverbs 22:26, "Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts." Proverbs 22:26, "Become not surety from respect of a man's person." -
Proverbs 27:13, "Take his garment that is surety for a stranger, and take a pledge of him for a strange woman." Proverbs 27:13, "Take away the man's garment, (for a scorner has passed by) whoever lays waste another's goods." This Masoretic verse contradicts many other verses in the scripture that admonishes to NOT make pledges nor be sureties. And why would we take a pledge for a strange woman? Even the Masoretic Text says strange women are evil, so why take a pledge from an evil woman?
Proverbs 29:13, "The poor and the deceitful man meet together: the LORD lighteneth both their eyes." Proverbs 29:13, "When the creditor and debtor meet together, the Lord oversees them both." -

Corruption in Government

Proverbs 28:16, "The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days." Proverbs 28:16, "A king in need of revenues is a great oppressor: but he that hates injustice shall live a long time." What is wrong with a prince wanting understanding? How is he an oppressor? King Solomon, the great prince, asked God for understanding and received it (1 Kings 3:5-12), but he was not an oppressor. What is the Masoretic Text trying to hide? Well, the Septuagint reveals the Truth. A government in need of taxes is a great oppressor! How true!
Proverbs 30:29-31, "There be three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; A greyhound; an he goat also; and a king, against whom there is no rising up." Proverbs 30:29-31, "And there are three things which go well, and a fourth which passes along finely. A lion's whelp, stronger than all other beasts, which turns not away, nor fears any beast; and a cock walking in boldly among the hens, and a goat leading the herd; and a king publicly speaking before a nation." You can see how much more clearly the Septuagint reads. The Masoretic Text does not elaborate on its words. It mentions a greyhound (which should read hen), but does not elaborate. It mentions a goat, but leaves out the reason why. And it mentions a king, in which there is supposedly no rising up against. The Septuagint makes so much more sense, whereas the Masoretic Text is too vague.
Proverbs 31:3, "Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings." Proverbs 31:3, "Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel." Since the King James authorized his Bible, it seems he influenced God's Word to say that one should never disobey an earthly king or government! Where did he get this from? Oh...he got it from the Masorites!

Corruption in Religious Assemblies

Proverbs 22:10, "Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea, strife and reproach shall cease." Proverbs 22:10, "Cast out a pestilent person from the council, and strife shall go out with him; for when he sits in the council he dishonours all." -
Psalms 40:4, "Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies." Psalms 39:4, "Blessed is the man whose hope is the name of the Lord, and who has not regarded vanities and false frenzies." The "false frenzies" refer to the spurious, religious excitement you see today in todays Churches. All the emotionalism, which comes from feminism. And also note that the Septuagint says "the name of the Lord." What is the name of the Lord according to Scripture? Revelation 19:13, "...and his name is called The Word of God."
Isaiah 3:12, "...O my people, they which lead thee cause thee to err, and destroy the way of thy paths." Isaiah 3:12, "...O my people, they that pronounce you blessed lead you astray, and pervert the path of your feet." Notice how the Masoretic Text deletes the fact that "they who pronounce you blessed", or, in other words, hypocritical religious leaders, lead you astray and pervert you. Why would they hide this warning about religious leaders?

Deleting the fact that to know God's Law is of a Sound Mind

Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding." Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the council of saints is understanding: for to know the law is the character of a sound mind." 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind." What is a sound mind? Is it going and getting certified by your psychiatrist that you're OK? What is a sound mind? You can search the King James for what a "sound mind" is, but you will never find it. You will find it in the Septuagint however.
Proverbs 13:15, "Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard." Proverbs 13:15, "Sound discretion gives favour, and to know the law is the part of a sound understanding: but the ways of scorners tend to destruction." -
Proverbs 28:4, "They that forsake the law praise the wicked: but such as keep the law contend with them." Proverbs 28:4, "so they that forsake the law praise ungodliness; but they that love the law fortify themselves with a wall." The Masoretic Text says that those who keep the law "contend" (which means cause strife, stir up, meddle, excite, and wage war" against the wicked!) But in Truth, we have God's shield.

Deleting the Promises of God

Proverbs 4:27, "Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil." Proverbs 4:27, "Turn not aside to the right hand nor to the left, but turn away thy foot from an evil way: [for God knows the ways on the right hand, but those on the left are crooked:] and he will make thy ways straight, and will guide thy steps in peace." -
Proverbs 23:18, "For surely there is an end; and thine expectation shall not be cut off." Proverbs 23:18, "For if thou shouldest keep these things, thou shalt have posterity; and thine hope shall not be removed." What does this verse mean in the Masoretic Text?

Deleting Solutions to problems

Proverbs 6:11, "So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man." Proverbs 6:11, "Then poverty comes upon thee as an evil traveller, and want as a swift courier: but if thou be diligent, thine harvest shall arrive as a fountain, and poverty shall flee away as a bad courier." -

The Importance of the Power of Words

Proverbs 12:6, "The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood: but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them." Proverbs 12:6, "The words of ungodly men are crafty; but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them." Compare the Septuagint verse with 2 Peter 2:3, "And through covetousness shall they with feigned words make merchandise of you."
Proverbs 21:28, "A false witness shall perish: but the man that heareth speaketh constantly." Proverbs 21:28, "A false witness shall perish; but an obedient man will speak cautiously." The man that heareth WHAT? This Masoretic verse is too vague, and it is suggesting that to speak a lot of words is good, whereas it is not.
Proverbs 22:21, "That I might make thee know the certainty of the words of truth; that thou mightest answer the words of truth to them that send unto thee?" Proverbs 22:21, "I therefore teach thee truth, and knowledge good to hear; that thou mayest answer words of truth to them that question thee." -
Proverbs 24:28, "Be not a witness against thy neighbour without cause; and deceive not with thy lips." Proverbs 24:28, "Be not a false witness against thy fellow citizen, neither exaggerate with thy lips." Compare "fellow citizen" with Ephesians 2:19.
Proverbs 27:11, "My son, be wise, and make my heart glad, that I may answer him that reproacheth me." Proverbs 27:11, "Son, be wise, that thy heart may rejoice; and remove thou from thyself reproachful words." -
Proverbs 27:27, "And thou shalt have goats' milk enough for thy food, for the food of thy household, and for the maintenance for thy maidens." Proverbs 27:27, "My son, thou hast from me words very useful for thy life, and for the life of thy servants." There's a big difference between "goats milk" and "words."
Proverbs 29:19, "A servant will not be corrected by words: for though he understand he will not answer." Proverbs 29:19, "A stubborn servant will not be reproved by words: for even if he understand, still he will not obey." We are the servants of Christ. Does this mean we will not be corrected by God's words? According to the Masoretic text, yes. There's a big difference between ALL servants and stubborn servants. The Masoretic Text blends the two together.
Proverbs 31:8, "Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction." Proverbs 31:8, "Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly." What does this verse possibly mean in the Masoretic Text?

Hiding the Role of Husband and Wife

Proverbs 31:21, "She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet." Proverbs 31:21, "Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed." What is the relationship between snow and scarlet? This Masoretic verse makes no sense.
Proverbs 31:22, "She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple." Proverbs 31:22, "She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet." -
Proverbs 31:23, "Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land." Proverbs 31:23, "And her husband becomes a distinguished person in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land." -
Proverbs 31:31, "Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates." Proverbs 31:31, "Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates." -

Teaching that Women are Evil

Proverbs 2:16, "To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;" Proverbs 2:16, "to remove thee from the straight way, and to estrange thee from a righteous purpose. My son, let not evil council overtake thee," -
Proverbs 6:26, "For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life." Proverbs 6:26, "Shall any one bind fire in his bosom, and not burn his garments?" -
Proverbs 6:24, "To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent." Proverbs 6:24, "to keep thee continually from a married woman, and from the calumny of a strange tongue. So is he that goes in to a married woman; he shall not be held guiltless, neither any one that touches her." Notice verse 24 is speaking of a "married" woman, not an "evil" woman. Verse 29 in the King James Bible confirms that the topic is about a married woman, and not an evil woman. The Masoretic Text is basically calling a married woman an evil woman.
Proverbs 21:9, "It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house." Proverbs 21:9, "It is better to dwell in a corner on the house-top, than in plastered rooms with unrighteousness, and in an open house." -
Proverbs 22:14, "The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein." Proverbs 22:14, "The mouth of a transgressor is a deep pit; and he that is hated of the Lord shall fall into it. Evil ways are before a man, and he does not like to turn away from them; but it is needful to turn aside from a perverse and bad way." -
Proverbs 23:27-28, "For a whore is a deep ditch; and a strange woman is a narrow pit. She also lieth in wait as for a prey, and increaseth the transgressors among men." Proverbs 23:27-28, "For a strange house is a vessel full of holes; and a strange well is narrow. For such a one shall perish suddenly; and every transgressor shall be cut off." -
Proverbs 27:15, "A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike." Proverbs 27:15, "On a stormy day drops of rain drive a man out of his house; so also does a railing woman drive a man out of his own house." But the Masoretic Text does not say HOW they are alike. The Septuagint reveals more detail.
Proverbs 31:14 , "She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar." Proverbs 31:14 , "She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood." This verse is describing a virtuous woman. But merchants are defined as deceivers and oppressors in scripture (Hosea 12:7, Revelation 18:23). However, there is a difference between working to make a profit, and working to procure your livelihood. The latter is of God, the former of the devil.
Isaiah 3:12, "As for my people, children are their oppressors, and women rule over them." Isaiah 3:12, "O my people, your extractors strip you, and extortioners rule over you:" It is not "children" and "women" who are the oppressors, as the Masorites would have you believe, it is "extractors" and "extortioners" who are the oppressors.

Hiding the fact that the Effeminate Man is Condemned in Scriptures

Proverbs 18:8, "The words of a talebearer are as wounds, and they go down into the innermost parts of the belly." Proverbs 18:8, "Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger." -
Proverbs 19:15, "Slothfulness casteth into a deep sleep; and an idle soul shall suffer hunger." Proverbs 19:15, "Cowardice possesses the effeminate man; and the soul of the sluggard shall hunger." -

The Importance of Helping each Other

Proverbs 18:19, "A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle." Proverbs 18:19, "A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is as strong as a well-founded palace." The Masoretic version just does not make much sense. It's supposed to be a brother "helped" by a brother, not a brother "offended" by a brother. This is the importance of fellowship and why brothers have to help brothers. Brothers helping brothers become a fortress!
Proverbs 28:12, "When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden." Proverbs 28:12, "By reason of the help of righteous men great glory arises: but in the places of the ungodly men are caught." -

Deleting Warnings

Proverbs 25:28, "He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls." Proverbs 25:28, "As a city whose walls are broken down, and which is unfortified, so is a man who does anything without counsel." -
Proverbs 26:17, "He that passeth by, and meddleth with strife belonging not to him, is like one that taketh a dog by the ears." Proverbs 26:17, "As he that lays hold of a dog's tail, so is he that makes himself the champion of another's cause." -
Proverbs 26:20, "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth." Proverbs 26:20, "With much wood fire increases; but where there is not a double-minded man, strife ceases." A tale bearer is somebody who tell fairy tales, and talks gossip. The subject of this verse, though, is hypocrites, a double minded man.
Proverbs 26:24, "He that hateth dissembleth with his lips, and layeth up deceit within him;" Proverbs 26:24, "A weeping enemy promises all things with his lips, but in his heart he contrives deceit." What great wisdom! Why would the Masotites hide this treachery?
Proverbs 27:9, "Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel." Proverbs 27:9, "The heart delights in ointments and wines and perfumes: but the soul is broken by calamities." -
Proverbs 27:19, "As in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man." Proverbs 27:19, "As faces are not like other faces, so neither are the thoughts of men." This Masoretic verse does not make the least bit of sense.

Other Comparisons

Proverbs 2:7, "He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly." Proverbs 2:7, "and he treasures up salvation for them that walk uprightly: he will protect their way." -
Proverbs 5:22-23, "His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins. He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray." Proverbs 5:22-23, "Iniquities ensnare a man, and every one is bound in the chains of his own sins. Such a man dies with the uninstructed; and he is cast forth from the abundance of his own substance, and has perished through folly." -
Proverbs 17:2, "A wise servant shall have rule over a son that causeth shame, and shall have part of the inheritance among the brethren." Proverbs 17:2, "A wise servant shall have rule over foolish masters, and shall divide portions among brethren." -
Proverbs 19:3, "The foolishness of man perverteth his way: and his heart fretteth against the LORD." Proverbs 19:3, "The folly of a man spoils his ways: and he blames God in his heart." -
Proverbs 20:8-9, "A king that sitteth in the throne of judgment scattereth away all evil with his eyes. Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?" Proverbs 20:8-9, "Whenever a righteous king sits on the throne, no evil thing can stand before his presence. Who will boast that he has a pure heart? or who will boldly say that he is pure from sins?" -
Proverbs 24:9, "The thought of foolishness is sin:" Proverbs 24:9, "The fool also dies in sins." Thoughts are not sins. At most, it's a temptation. Only when thoughts conceive into an act is it considered a sin (see James 1:14-15).
Proverbs 25:9-10, "Debate thy cause with thy neighbour himself; and discover not a secret to another: Lest he that heareth it put thee to shame, and thine infamy turn not away." Proverbs 25:9-10, "Whenever thy friend shall reproach thee, retreat backward, despise him not; lest thy friend continue to reproach thee, so thy quarrel and enmity shall not depart, but shall be to thee like death. Favour and friendship set man free, which do thou keep for thyself, lest thou be made liable to reproach; but take heed to thy ways peaceably." Notice how much more detailed and revealing the Septuagint is!
Proverbs 25:17, "Withdraw thy foot from thy neighbour's house; lest he be weary of thee, and so hate thee." Proverbs 25:17, "Enter sparingly into thy friend's house, lest he be satiated with thy company, and hate thee." According to the Masoretic Text, we are not to enter our neighbour's house at all! What kind of teaching is this?!
Proverbs 25:20, "As he that taketh away a garment in cold weather, and as vinegar upon nitre, so is he that singeth songs to an heavy heart." Proverbs 25:20, "As vinegar is bad for a sore, so trouble befalling the body afflicts the heart. As a moth in a garment, and a worm in wood, so the grief of a man hurts the heart." -
Proverbs 25:27, "It is not good to eat much honey: so for men to search their own glory is not glory." Proverbs 25:27, "It is not good to eat much honey; but it is right to honour venerable sayings." -
Proverbs 28:13, "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy." Proverbs 28:13, "He that covers his own ungodliness shall not prosper: but he that blames himself shall be loved." This shows the importance of not blaming others for our own sins.
Proverbs 30:8, "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me:" Proverbs 30:8, "Remove far from me vanity and falsehood: and give me not wealth or poverty; but appoint me what is needful and sufficient." Everybody wants what is "convenient" for them, but God only provides what is needful and sufficient for us (Matthew 6:8,32). God is not here to make our life "convenient."
Proverbs 30:2-3, "Surely I am more brutish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man. I neither learned wisdom, nor have the knowledge of the holy." Proverbs 30:2-3, "For I am the most simple of all men, and there is not in me the wisdom of men. God has taught me wisdom, and I know the knowledge of the holy." This Masoretic verse sounds like an ungodly man is speaking, who does not have any wisdom or knowledge of the holy. But if you read verses 5 and 6, it is obvious that this writer DOES possess wisdom and knowledge of the holy. The Masoretic Text is contradicting itself. Either this writer does or doesn't. The Septuagint does not contradict itself. These verses express the wisdom and knowledge of the holy, in both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint. It just does not make sense that this writer would begin this proverb by saying he doesn't have any knowledge of the holy, and then proceed by explaining his knowledge of the holy!
Proverbs 30:15, "The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough:" Proverbs 30:15, "The horse-leech had three dearly-beloved daughters: and these three did not satisfy her; and the fourth was not contented so as to say, Enough." It should read "three" daughters in the Masoretic Text. This is confirmed in verses 18, 21, 24, 29 of both the Masoretic Text and the Septuagint, both of which which speak of "three" things and "then" a fourth. This follows a pattern.
Proverbs 29:3, "Whoso loveth wisdom rejoiceth his father: but he that keepeth company with harlots spendeth his substance." Proverbs 29:3, "When a man loves wisdom, his father rejoices: but he that keeps harlots will waste wealth." In the King James reference notes, it admits that the phrase "rejoiceth his father" means "makes his father rejoice", and the phrase "spendeth his substance" means "wastes his wealth." The Septuagint already has this correct reading!

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