1
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My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; |
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2
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for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life. |
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3
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Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. |
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4
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Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man. |
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5
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Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; |
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6
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in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. |
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7
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Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. |
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8
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This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. |
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9
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Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; |
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10
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then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. |
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11
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My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; |
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12
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for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights. |
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13
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Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, |
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14
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for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. |
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15
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She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. |
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16
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Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. |
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17
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All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful. |
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18
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She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed. |
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19
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The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. |
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20
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By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew. |
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21
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My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment. |
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22
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They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck. |
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23
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Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. |
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24
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When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet. |
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25
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Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, |
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26
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for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare. |
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27
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Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. |
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28
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Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—when you already have the means. |
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29
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Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you. |
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30
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Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm. |
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31
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Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways; |
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32
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for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright. |
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33
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The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous. |
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34
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He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble. |
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35
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The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame. |
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