12 “I, wisdom, (A)dwell with prudence,
And I find (B)knowledge and discretion.
13 The (C)fear of the Lord is to hate evil;
(D)Pride, arrogance, (E)the evil way,
And the (F)perverted mouth, I hate.
14 (G)Advice is mine and (H)sound wisdom;
I am understanding, (I)power is mine.
15 By me (J)kings reign,
And rulers decree justice.
16 By me princes rule, and nobles,
All who judge rightly.
17 I (K)love those who love me;
And (L)those who diligently seek me will find me.
18 (M)Riches and honor are with me,
Enduring (N)wealth and righteousness.

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12 I, wisdom, live with prudence,
    and I attain knowledge and discretion.(A)
13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and perverted speech I hate.(B)
14 I have good advice and sound wisdom;
    I have insight; I have strength.(C)
15 By me kings reign,
    and rulers decree what is just;(D)
16 by me rulers rule,
    and nobles, all who govern rightly.
17 I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me diligently find me.(E)
18 Riches and honor are with me,
    enduring wealth and prosperity.(F)

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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 The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord,
But the (A)blameless in their [a]walk are His (B)delight.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:20 Lit way

20 Crooked minds are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those of blameless ways 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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A (A)good person will obtain favor from the Lord,
But He will condemn a person [a]who devises evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:2 Lit of evil devices

The good obtain favor from the Lord,
    but those who devise evil he condemns.(A)

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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 (A)Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
But those who deal faithfully are His delight.

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22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.(A)

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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 One (A)who oppresses the poor taunts (B)his Maker,
But one who is gracious to the needy honors Him.

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31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
    but those who are kind to the needy honor him.(A)

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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 (A)sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But (B)the prayer of the upright is His delight.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves the one who (C)pursues righteousness.

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The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but the prayer of the upright is his delight.(A)
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.(B)

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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 (A)Bruising wounds clean away evil,
And blows cleanse the [a]innermost parts.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:30 Lit chambers of the body

30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
    beatings make clean the innermost parts.

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

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To do (A)righteousness and justice
Is preferred by the Lord more than sacrifice.

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To do righteousness and justice
    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 One who (A)pursues righteousness and loyalty
Finds life, righteousness, and honor.

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21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life[a] and honor.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 21.21 Gk: Heb life and righteousness

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