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13 If you return evil for good,
    evil will not depart from your house.[a](A)
14 The start of strife is like the opening of a dam;
    check a quarrel before it bursts forth!
15 Whoever acquits the wicked,(B) whoever condemns the just—
    both are an abomination to the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. 17:13 The paradox is that to pay out evil for good means that the evil will never leave one’s own house.

13 Evil will never leave the house
    of one who pays back evil(A) for good.(B)

14 Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam;
    so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.(C)

15 Acquitting the guilty and condemning the innocent(D)
    the Lord detests them both.(E)

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