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

The Lord detests the sacrifice(A) of the wicked,(B)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(C)

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29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
    but he hears the prayer of the righteous.(A)

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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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12 A troublemaker and a villain,
    who goes about with a corrupt mouth,
13     who winks maliciously with his eye,(A)
    signals with his feet
    and motions with his fingers,(B)
14     who plots evil(C) with deceit in his heart—
    he always stirs up conflict.(D)
15 Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant;(E)
    he will suddenly(F) be destroyed—without remedy.(G)

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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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