18 She is a tree of life(A) to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.

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18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
    happy are those who hold her tightly.

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18 She is a tree of life(A) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.(B)

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32 “And now, sons, listen to me;
those who keep my ways are happy.(A)
33 Listen to instruction and be wise;(B)
don’t ignore it.
34 Anyone who listens to me is happy,(C)
watching at my doors every day,
waiting by the posts of my doorway.
35 For the one who finds me finds life(D)
and obtains favor from the Lord,(E)
36 but the one who misses me[a] harms himself;(F)
all who hate me love death.”(G)

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Footnotes

  1. 8:36 Or who sins against me

32 “And so, my children,[a] listen to me,
    for all who follow my ways are joyful.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise.
    Don’t ignore it.
34 Joyful are those who listen to me,
    watching for me daily at my gates,
    waiting for me outside my home!
35 For whoever finds me finds life
    and receives favor from the Lord.
36 But those who miss me injure themselves.
    All who hate me love death.”

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Footnotes

  1. 8:32 Hebrew my sons.

32 “Now then, my children, listen(A) to me;
    blessed are(B) those who keep my ways.(C)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(D) to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me(E) find life(F)
    and receive favor from the Lord.(G)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;(H)
    all who hate me love death.”(I)

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28 The hope of the righteous is joy,(A)
but the expectation of the wicked will perish.(B)

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28 The hopes of the godly result in happiness,
    but the expectations of the wicked come to nothing.

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28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.(A)

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25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs it down,
but a good word cheers it up.(A)

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25 Worry weighs a person down;
    an encouraging word cheers a person up.

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25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(A)
    but a kind word cheers it up.

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13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(A)

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13 A glad heart makes a happy face;
    a broken heart crushes the spirit.

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13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(A)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(B)

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15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

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15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble;
    for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

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15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(A)

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30 Bright eyes cheer the heart;
good news strengthens[a] the bones.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 15:30 Lit makes fat

30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
    good news makes for good health.

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30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.(A)

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20 The one who understands a matter finds success,(A)
and the one who trusts in the Lord will be happy.(B)

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20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper;
    those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

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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

22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.(A)

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22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

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22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed(A) spirit dries up the bones.(B)

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