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18 She is a tree of life for those who embrace her,
    and whoever clutches her tightly will be joyful.

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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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The Exhortation of Wisdom

32 “So listen to me, children!
    Blessed are those who obey me.
33 Listen to instruction and be wise.
    Don’t ignore it.
34 Blessed is the person who listens to me,
    watching daily at my gates,
        waiting at my doorways—
35 because those who find me find life
    and gain favor from the Lord.
36 But whoever sins against me destroys himself;
    everyone who hates me loves 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 What the righteous hope for brings joy,
    but the expectation of the wicked dies.

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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 A person’s anxiety weighs down his heart,
    but an appropriate word is encouraging.

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

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13 A happy heart enlightens the face,
    but a sad heart reflects a broken 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 The entire life[a] of the afflicted seems disastrous,
    but a good heart feasts continuously.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:15 Lit. All the days

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[a] encourage the heart;
    good news nourishes the body.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:30 Or A cheerful look
  2. Proverbs 15:30 Lit. bones

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 listens to a word of instruction prospers,
    and anyone who trusts in the Lord is blessed.

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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 drains one’s strength.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:22 Lit. spirit dries the bones

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

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25 Let your father and mother rejoice;
    make the one who gave birth to you happy.

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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 rejoice when your enemy falls;
    don’t let yourself be glad when he stumbles.
18 Otherwise the Lord will observe and disapprove,
    and he will turn his anger away from him.

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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 The faithful man will prosper with blessings,
    but whoever is in a hurry to get rich
        will not escape punishment.

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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 Without prophetic vision, people abandon restraint,
    but those who obey the Law 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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