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He stores up sound wisdom for the upright
    and is a shield to those who walk in integrity—

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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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The Folly of Laziness

Go to the ant, you lazy man!
    Observe its ways and become wise.
It has no commander,
    officer, or ruler,
but prepares its provisions in the summer
    and gathers its 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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The Way of Wisdom

12 “I, wisdom, am related to[a] prudence.
    I know how to be discreet.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
    Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle,
        and perverted speech I despise.
14 Counsel belongs to me,
    along with sound judgment.
I am understanding.
    Power belongs to me.
15 Kings reign by me,
    and rulers dispense justice through me.
16 By me leaders rule, as do noble officials
    and all who govern justly.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:12 Lit. wisdom, live with
  2. Proverbs 8:16 So MT; LXX reads and tyrants rule the earth

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 innocent creates a level path,
    but the wicked fall by their 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 to seek good,
    but the hope of the wicked results in 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 diligent will take control,
    but the 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 words a man receives benefit,[a]
    but the treacherous crave violence.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:2 Lit. man eats good things

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

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13 Anyone who despises a word of advice will pay for it,
    but whoever heeds a command 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 Plans fail without advice,
    but with many counselors they are confirmed.

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

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Entrust your work to the Lord,
    and your planning will succeed.

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

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A person plans his way,
    but the Lord directs 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 Kings detest wrongdoing,
    for through righteousness the throne is established.

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

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