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18 As a tree makes fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it.
    Everyone who uses wisdom will be happy.

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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 “Now, my children, listen to me.
    Those who follow my ways are happy.
33 Listen to my teaching, and you will be wise.
    Do not ignore it.
34 Those who listen to me are happy.
    They stand watching at my door every day.
    They are at my open doorway, wanting to be with me.
35 Whoever finds me finds life.
    And the Lord will be pleased with him.
36 Whoever does not find me hurts himself.
    Those who hate me love death.”

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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 A good person can look forward to happiness.
    But an evil person can expect 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 Worry makes a person feel as if he is carrying a heavy load.
    But a kind word cheers up a person.

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

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13 Happiness makes a person smile.
    But sadness breaks a person’s 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 Every day is hard for those who suffer.
    But a happy heart makes it like 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 Good news makes you feel better.
    Your happiness will show in your eyes.

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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 Whoever pays attention to what he is taught will succeed.
    And whoever trusts the Lord will be happy.

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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 happy heart is like good medicine.
    But a broken spirit drains your 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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25 Make your father and mother happy.
    Give your mother a reason to be glad.

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25 May your father and mother rejoice;
    may she who gave you birth be joyful!(A)

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17 Don’t be happy when your enemy is defeated.
    Don’t be glad when he is overwhelmed.
18 The Lord will notice and be displeased.
    Then the Lord may not be angry with him anymore.

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Saying 28

17 Do not gloat(A) when your enemy falls;
    when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,(B)
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
    and turn his wrath away from them.(C)

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20 A truthful man will have many blessings.
    But those eager to get rich will be punished.

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20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,
    but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.(A)

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18 Where there is no word from God, people are uncontrolled.
    But those who obey what they have been taught are happy.

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18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
    but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.(A)

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