11 Death and Destruction[a] lie open before the Lord(A)
    how much more do human hearts!(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:11 Hebrew Abaddon

All a person’s ways seem pure to them,(A)
    but motives are weighed(B) by the Lord.(C)

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The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,(A)
    but the Lord tests the heart.(B)

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11 Even small children are known by their actions,
    so is their conduct really pure(A) and upright?

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27 The human spirit is[a] the lamp of the Lord(A)
    that sheds light on one’s inmost being.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:27 Or A person’s words are

A person may think their own ways are right,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.(A)

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19 As water reflects the face,
    so one’s life reflects the heart.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:19 Or so others reflect your heart back to you

To do what is right and just
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(A)

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27 The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable(A)
    how much more so when brought with evil intent!(B)

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A fortune made by a lying tongue
    is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.[a](A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Some Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint and Vulgate; most Hebrew manuscripts vapor for those who seek death

12 The Righteous One[a] takes note of the house of the wicked
    and brings the wicked to ruin.(A)

13 Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor
    will also cry out(B) and not be answered.(C)

14 A gift given in secret soothes anger,
    and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.(D)

15 When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous
    but terror to evildoers.(E)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:12 Or The righteous person

10 Whoever winks maliciously(A) causes grief,
    and a chattering fool comes to ruin.

11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,(B)
    but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.(C)

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The integrity of the upright guides them,
    but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.(A)

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30 Whoever winks(A) with their eye is plotting perversity;
    whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

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14 “It’s no good, it’s no good!” says the buyer—
    then goes off and boasts about the purchase.

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Saying 9

Do not eat the food of a begrudging host,
    do not crave his delicacies;(A)
for he is the kind of person
    who is always thinking about the cost.[a]
“Eat and drink,” he says to you,
    but his heart is not with you.
You will vomit up the little you have eaten
    and will have wasted your compliments.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:7 Or for as he thinks within himself, / so he is; or for as he puts on a feast, / so he is

23 Like a coating of silver dross on earthenware
    are fervent[a] lips with an evil heart.
24 Enemies disguise themselves with their lips,(A)
    but in their hearts they harbor deceit.(B)
25 Though their speech is charming,(C) do not believe them,
    for seven abominations fill their hearts.(D)
26 Their malice may be concealed by deception,
    but their wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 26:23 Hebrew; Septuagint smooth

Let love and faithfulness(A) never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.(B)
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.(C)

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Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
    through the fear of the Lord(A) evil is avoided.(B)

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Many claim to have unfailing love,
    but a faithful person who can find?(A)

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19 Like a broken tooth or a lame foot
    is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.

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12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
    but love covers over all wrongs.(A)

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17 Better a small serving of vegetables with love
    than a fattened calf with hatred.(A)

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Whoever mocks the poor(A) shows contempt for their Maker;(B)
    whoever gloats over disaster(C) will not go unpunished.(D)

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Saying 28

17 Do not gloat(A) when your enemy falls;
    when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,(B)
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
    and turn his wrath away from them.(C)

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