23 In all toil there is profit,
    but mere talk (A)tends only to poverty.

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23 In hard work there is always profit,
    but too much chattering[a] leads to poverty.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:23 Lit. word of lips

In the house of the righteous there is much treasure,
    but trouble befalls the income of the wicked.

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The righteous house is itself[a] a great treasure,
    but within the revenue of the wicked calamity is at work.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:6 The Heb. lacks itself

16 (A)Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.

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On Contentment and Other Good Things of Life

16 Better is a little accompanied by fear of the Lord
    than abundant wealth with turmoil.

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By (A)steadfast love and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by (B)the fear of the Lord one (C)turns away from evil.
When a man's ways please the Lord,
    (D)he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

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Iniquity is atoned for by gracious love and truth,
    and through fear of the Lord people[a] turn from evil.

When a person’s ways please the Lord,
    even his enemies will be at peace with him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:6 The Heb. lacks people

26 A worker's appetite works for him;
    his (A)mouth urges him on.

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26 The appetite of the laborer motivates him;
    indeed, his hunger drives him on.

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A servant who deals wisely will rule over (A)a son who acts shamefully
    and (B)will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.

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A prudent servant will rule in place of a disgraceful son
    and will share in the inheritance among brothers.

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17 (A)Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord,
    and he (B)will repay him for his (C)deed.

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17 Whoever is kind to the poor is lending to the Lord
    the benefit of his gift will return to him in abundance.

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13 (A)Love not sleep, lest you (B)come to poverty;
    open your eyes, and you will have (C)plenty of bread.

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13 Do not love sleep or you’ll become poor,
    keep your eyes open and you’ll have plenty of food.

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The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
    is (A)riches and honor and life.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:4 Or The reward for humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and honor and life

The reward of humility is the fear of the Lord,
    along with wealth, honor, and life.

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27 (A)Prepare your work outside;
    get everything ready for yourself in the field,
    and after that build your house.

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27 First do your outside work,
    preparing your land for yourself.
        After that, build your house.

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18 (A)Whoever tends a fig tree will eat its fruit,
    and he who (B)guards his master will be honored.

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18 Whoever nurtures the fig tree will eat its fruit,
    and whoever obeys[a] his master will be honored.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:18 Lit. guards

23 (A)Know well the condition of your flocks,
    and (B)give attention to your herds,
24 for (C)riches do not last forever;
    and does a crown endure to all generations?
25 (D)When the grass is gone and the new growth appears
    and the vegetation of the mountains is gathered,
26 (E)the lambs will provide your clothing,
    and the goats the price of a field.
27 (F)There will be enough goats' milk for your food,
    for the food of your household
    and maintenance for your girls.

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23 Keep well informed of the condition of your flocks
    and pay attention to your herds,
24 because riches don’t endure forever,
    and crowns don’t last from one generation to the next.
25 When the grass disappears,
    and new growth appears,
        the mountain spices will be harvested,
26 the lambs will supply your clothing,
    and your goats the price of a field.
27 You will have enough goat’s milk to drink
    and to supply your household needs,
        as well as sustenance for your servant girls.

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