Don’t consider yourself to be wise;(A)
fear the Lord and turn away from evil.(B)
This will be healing for your body[a](C)
and strengthening for your bones.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:8 Lit navel

Don’t consider yourself wise.
    Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then your body[a] will be healthy
    and your bones strengthened.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:8 Heb navel

Do not be wise in your own eyes;(A)
    fear the Lord(B) and shun evil.(C)
This will bring health to your body(D)
    and nourishment to your bones.(E)

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Wisdom Brings Happiness

13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom(A)
and who acquires understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver,
and her revenue is better than gold.(B)
15 She is more precious than jewels;(C)
nothing you desire compares with her.(D)
16 Long life[a] is in her right hand;
in her left, riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant,(F)
and all her paths, peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:16 Lit Length of days

Value of wisdom

13 Happy are those who find wisdom
    and those who gain understanding.
14 Her profit is better than silver,
    and her gain better than gold.
15 Her value exceeds pearls;
    all you desire can’t compare with her.
16 In her right hand is a long life;
    in her left are wealth and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant;
    all her paths are peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
    those who hold her tight are happy.

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13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.(A)
15 She is more precious than rubies;(B)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.(C)
16 Long life is in her right hand;(D)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.(F)
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.(H)

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Two Ways of Life

10 Listen, my son. Accept my words,(A)
and you will live many years.(B)

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Stay on the path of wisdom

10 Listen, my son, and take in my speech,
    then the years of your life will be many.

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10 Listen, my son,(A) accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.(B)

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The Straight Path

20 My son, pay attention to my words;
listen closely to my sayings.(A)
21 Don’t lose sight of them;(B)
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and health to one’s whole body.

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Be careful about what you say

20 My son, pay attention to my words.
    Bend your ear to my speech.
21 Don’t let them slip from your sight.
    Guard them in your mind.
22 They are life to those who find them,
    and healing for their entire body.

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20 My son,(A) pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.(B)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,(C)
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.(D)

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11 For by Wisdom your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.

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11 Through me your days will be many;
    years will be added to your life.

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11 For through wisdom[a] your days will be many,
    and years will be added to your life.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me

27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,[a](A)
but the years of the wicked are cut short.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:27 Lit Lord adds to days

27 The fear of the Lord increases one’s life,
    but the years of the wicked will be cut short.

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27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,(A)
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.(B)

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30 A tranquil heart is life to the body,(A)
but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.(B)

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30 A peaceful mind gives life to the body,
    but jealousy rots the bones.

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30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.(A)

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:30 Lit makes fat

30 Bright eyes give joy to the heart;
    good news strengthens the bones.

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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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17 The highway of the upright(A) avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life.(B)

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17 The road of those who do right turns away from evil;
    those who protect their path guard their lives.

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17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(A)

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