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You Will Proceed on Your Way Securely[a]

21 My son, without letting them slip out of your sight
    safeguard sound wisdom and prudence.
22 They will give life to your soul
    and provide adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will proceed on your way securely,
    and your feet will avoid stumbling.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid,[b]
    and on your bed your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden terror
    or of the destruction[c] that overtakes the wicked.
26 For the Lord will be your assurance
    and will keep your feet from the trap.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:21 There is a serenity that one sometimes discovers in a person whose life is above all profound fidelity. True wisdom is found neither in beautiful ideas nor in fine sentiments but in the practice of peace, trust, self-offering, and true human relationships. Opposed to it are wickedness, vain mockery, foolishness, and the like. To call down God’s maledictions upon this folly is, for the ancients, a way of breaking away from it.
  2. Proverbs 3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid: this is one of the blessings of the covenant (see Lev 26:6; Job 11:18-19; Mic 4:4; Zep 3:13; see also Prov 1:33). Your sleep will be sweet: see Prov 6:22; Ps 4:9.
  3. Proverbs 3:25 Sudden terror . . . destruction: the Lord shields the righteous from harm of any kind (see Prov 10:25; Job 5:21; Ps 91:3-16). The wicked: see Prov 1:26-27.