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18 She is a tree of life for those who seize her;
    those who take hold of her are considered 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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Benefits of Following Wisdom

32 “And now, children, listen to me;
    happy are those who will keep my ways.
33 Hear teaching and be wise;
    do not neglect it.
34 Happy is the person who listens to me,
    in order to keep watch at my doors day by day,
    in order to guard the frames of my entrances.
35 For he who finds me is he who finds[a] life,
    and he obtains favor from Yahweh.
36 But he who misses me injures himself.[b]
    All those who hate me love death.”

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:35 Hebrew “those who find”
  2. Proverbs 8:36 Or “soul,” or “inner self”

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 gladness,
    but the expectation of the wicked comes 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 the heart[a] of a man will weigh him down,
    but a good word will cheer him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:25 Or “mind”

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

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13 A heart[a] of gladness will make good countenance,[b]
    but in sorrow of heart[c] a spirit is broken.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:13 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 15:13 Literally “faces”
  3. Proverbs 15:13 Or “mind”

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 poor are hard,
    but goodness of heart[a] is a continuous feast.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:15 Or “mind”

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

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30 From the light of the eyes, the heart[a] will rejoice,
    and good news will enliven the bones.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:30 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 15:30 Hebrew “bone”

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 He who is attentive to a matter will find goodness,
    and he who trusts in Yahweh, his own happiness.

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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 cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a downcast spirit will dry out bones.

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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 May your father and your mother be glad,
    and may she who bore you rejoice.

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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 While your enemies are falling, do not rejoice;
    when he trips himself, may your heart[a] not be glad
18 lest Yahweh see and it be evil in his eyes,
    and turn his anger away from him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:17 Or “mind”

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 man of faithfulness has abundant blessings,
    but he who hurries to become rich will not go unpunished.

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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 When there is no prophecy, the people cast off restraint,
    but as for he who guards instruction, happiness is his.

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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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