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Don’t be wise in your own eyes.
    Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
It will be health to your body,
    and nourishment to your bones.

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Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.

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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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13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
    the man who gets understanding.
14 For her good profit is better than getting silver,
    and her return is better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies.
    None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand.
    In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness.
    All her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.
    Happy is everyone who retains her.

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13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
    the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
    and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
    and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
    all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
    happy are those who hold her tightly.

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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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10 Listen, my son, and receive my sayings.
    The years of your life will be many.

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10 My child,[a] listen to me and do as I say,
    and you will have a long, good life.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:10 Hebrew My son; also in 4:20.

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

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20 My son, attend to my words.
    Turn your ear to my sayings.
21 Let them not depart from your eyes.
    Keep them in the center of your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
    and health to their whole body.

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20 My child, pay attention to what I say.
    Listen carefully to my words.
21 Don’t lose sight of them.
    Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22 for they bring life to those who find them,
    and healing to their whole 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 me your days will be multiplied.
    The years of your life will be increased.

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11 Wisdom will multiply your days
    and add years 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 Yahweh prolongs days,
    but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.

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27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life,
    but the years of the wicked are 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 The life of the body is a heart at peace,
    but envy rots the bones.

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30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
    jealousy is like cancer in 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 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart.
    Good news gives health to the bones.

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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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17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil.
    He who keeps his way preserves his soul.

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17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil;
    whoever follows that path is safe.

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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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