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He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous:
he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.

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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, thou sluggard;
consider her ways, and be wise:
which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
provideth her meat in the summer,
and gathereth her food 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 wisdom dwell with prudence,
and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil:
pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
14 Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom:
I am understanding; I have strength.
15 By me kings reign,
and princes decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles,
even all the judges of the earth.

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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 perfect shall direct his way:
    but the wicked shall 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 is only good:
    but the expectation of the wicked is 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 shall bear rule:
    but the slothful shall be under tribute.

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

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A man shall eat good by the fruit of his mouth:
    but the soul of the transgressors shall eat 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 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed:
    but he that feareth the commandment shall 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 counsel purposes are disappointed:
    but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.

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

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Commit thy works unto the Lord,
    and thy thoughts shall be established.

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

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A man’s heart deviseth his way:
    but the Lord directeth his steps.

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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 an abomination to kings to commit wickedness:
    for the throne is established by righteousness.

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

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