12 I, wisdom, share a home with shrewdness
and have knowledge and discretion.(A)
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.(B)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.
14 I possess good advice and sound wisdom;[a]
I have understanding and strength.(C)
15 It is by me that kings reign(D)
and rulers enact just law;
16 by me, princes lead,
as do nobles and all righteous judges.[b]
17 I love those who love me,(E)
and those who search for me find me.(F)
18 With me are riches and honor,(G)
lasting wealth and righteousness.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 8:14 Or resourcefulness
  2. 8:16 Some Hb mss, LXX read nobles who judge the earth

12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
    I possess knowledge and discretion.(A)
13 To fear the Lord(B) is to hate evil;(C)
    I hate(D) pride and arrogance,
    evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
    I have insight, I have power.(E)
15 By me kings reign
    and rulers(F) issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,(G)
    and nobles—all who rule on earth.[a]
17 I love those who love me,(H)
    and those who seek me find me.(I)
18 With me are riches and honor,(J)
    enduring wealth and prosperity.(K)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers

20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are his delight.(A)

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20 The Lord detests those whose hearts are perverse,(A)
    but he delights(B) in those whose ways are blameless.(C)

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One who is good obtains favor from the Lord,(A)
but he condemns a person who schemes.(B)

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Good people obtain favor from the Lord,(A)
    but he condemns those who devise wicked schemes.(B)

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22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord,(A)
but faithful people are his delight.(B)

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22 The Lord detests lying lips,(A)
    but he delights(B) in people who are trustworthy.(C)

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31 The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,(A)
but one who is kind to the needy honors him.(B)

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31 Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker,(A)
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors God.(B)

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The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,(A)
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.(B)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.(C)

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The Lord detests the sacrifice(A) of the wicked,(B)
    but the prayer of the upright pleases him.(C)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,(D)
    but he loves those who pursue righteousness.(E)

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30 Lashes and wounds purge away evil,(A)
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 20:30 Lit beatings the chambers of the belly

30 Blows and wounds scrub(A) away evil,
    and beatings(B) purge the inmost being.

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Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(A)

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To do what is right and just
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(A)

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21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.(A)

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21 Whoever pursues righteousness and love
    finds life, prosperity[a](A) and honor.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:21 Or righteousness

Humility, the fear of the Lord,
results in wealth, honor, and life.(A)

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Humility is the fear of the Lord;
    its wages are riches and honor(A) and life.(B)

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