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It’s perfectly natural to envy those who are successful. It’s even natural to want to imitate them. But what about those who’ve gotten ahead by doing the wrong thing? Sometimes it seems crime does pay, the good do die young, and the wicked do have more fun. But it only appears this way; it is not reality. In reality the success of wrongdoers is short-lived. God is against them, and their house is built on the sand. Even if it seems to be a grand house, it will soon come crashing down.

Gather, children, to hear your father’s instruction.
    Pay close attention so you will understand,

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Get Wisdom at Any Cost

Listen, my sons,(A) to a father’s instruction;(B)
    pay attention and gain understanding.(C)

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20 So, my son, follow your father’s direction,
    and don’t forget what your mother taught you—

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Warning Against Adultery

20 My son,(A) keep your father’s command
    and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.(B)

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13 Foolish children bring misery to their fathers,
    and a wife’s bickering is a constant dripping as from a leaky roof.

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13 A foolish child is a father’s ruin,(A)
    and a quarrelsome wife is like
    the constant dripping of a leaky roof.(B)

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14 Houses and riches may be inherited from parents,
    but a sensible wife is a gift from the Eternal.

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14 Houses and wealth are inherited from parents,(A)
    but a prudent wife is from the Lord.(B)

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28 Do not steal property from your neighbors by moving the boundary markers
    your ancestors established.

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Saying 5

28 Do not move an ancient boundary stone(A)
    set up by your ancestors.

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22 Pay attention to your father—after all, he gave you life—
    and don’t ignore your mother in her old age.
23 Invest in truth, sock it away!
    Never cash in wisdom, guidance, or insight.
24 The parents of the right-living will celebrate;
    yes, parents of children who make wise choices are happy.
25 So make your parents happy;
    delight your mother—after all, she brought you into this world.

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Saying 17

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.(A)
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it—
    wisdom, instruction and insight as well.(B)
24 The father of a righteous child has great joy;
    a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.(C)
25 May your father and mother rejoice;
    may she who gave you birth be joyful!(D)

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An adult who loves wisdom and follows its ways gives his parents joy,
    but one who hangs out with women of the street will lose everything.

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A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,(A)
    but a companion of prostitutes squanders his wealth.(B)

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