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He stores away sound wisdom for the righteous [those who are in right standing with Him];
He is a shield to those who walk in integrity [those of honorable character and moral courage],

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He holds success in store for the upright,
    he is a shield(A) to those whose walk is blameless,(B)

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Go to the ant, O lazy one;
Observe her ways and be wise,(A)

Which, having no chief,
Overseer or ruler,

She prepares her food in the summer
And brings in her provisions [of food for the winter] in the harvest.

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Go to the ant, you sluggard;(A)
    consider its ways and be wise!
It has no commander,
    no overseer or ruler,
yet it stores its provisions in summer(B)
    and gathers its food at harvest.(C)

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12 
“I, [godly] wisdom, reside with prudence [good judgment, moral courage and astute common sense],
And I find knowledge and discretion.(A)
13 
“The [reverent] fear and worshipful awe of the Lord includes the hatred of evil;
Pride and arrogance and the evil way,
And the perverted mouth, I hate.
14 
“Counsel is mine and sound wisdom;
I am understanding, power and strength are mine.
15 
“By me kings reign
And rulers decide and decree justice.(B)
16 
“By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge and govern rightly.

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12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
    I possess knowledge and discretion.(A)
13 To fear the Lord(B) is to hate evil;(C)
    I hate(D) pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.(E)
15 By me kings reign
    and rulers(F) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(G)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers


The righteousness of the blameless will smooth their way and keep it straight,
But the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

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The righteousness of the blameless makes their paths straight,(A)
    but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.(B)

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23 
The desire of the righteous brings only good,
But the expectation of the wicked brings wrath.

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23 The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
    but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.

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24 
The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the negligent and lazy will be put to forced labor.

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24 Diligent hands will rule,
    but laziness ends in forced labor.(A)

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From the fruit of his mouth a [wise] man enjoys good,
But the desire of the treacherous is for violence.

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From the fruit of their lips people enjoy good things,(A)
    but the unfaithful have an appetite for violence.

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13 
Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself,
But he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded.

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13 Whoever scorns instruction will pay for it,(A)
    but whoever respects(B) a command is rewarded.(C)

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22 
Without consultation and wise advice, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they are established and succeed.

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22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,(A)
    but with many advisers(B) they succeed.(C)

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[a]Commit your works to the Lord [submit and trust them to Him],
And your plans will succeed [if you respond to His will and guidance].

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:3 Lit Roll.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do,
    and he will establish your plans.(A)

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A man’s mind plans his way [as he journeys through life],
But the Lord directs his steps and establishes them.(A)

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In their hearts humans plan their course,
    but the Lord establishes their steps.(A)

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12 
It is repulsive [to God and man] for kings to behave wickedly,
For a throne is established on righteousness (right standing with God).

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12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
    for a throne is established through righteousness.(A)

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20 
He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good,
And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the Lord.

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20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[a](A)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good