23 All hard work brings a profit,
    but mere talk leads only to poverty.

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23 Work brings profit,
    but mere talk leads to poverty!

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The house of the righteous contains great treasure,(A)
    but the income of the wicked brings ruin.(B)

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There is treasure in the house of the godly,
    but the earnings of the wicked bring trouble.

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16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great wealth with turmoil.(A)

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16 Better to have little, with fear for the Lord,
    than to have great treasure and inner turmoil.

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Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
    through the fear of the Lord(A) evil is avoided.(B)

When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way,
    he causes their enemies to make peace(C) with them.(D)

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Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for sin.
    By fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.

When people’s lives please the Lord,
    even their enemies are at peace with them.

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26 The appetite of laborers works for them;
    their hunger drives them on.

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26 It is good for workers to have an appetite;
    an empty stomach drives them on.

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A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
    and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

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A wise servant will rule over the master’s disgraceful son
    and will share the inheritance of the master’s children.

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17 Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord,(A)
    and he will reward them for what they have done.(B)

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17 If you help the poor, you are lending to the Lord
    and he will repay you!

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13 Do not love sleep or you will grow poor;(A)
    stay awake and you will have food to spare.

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13 If you love sleep, you will end in poverty.
    Keep your eyes open, and there will be plenty to eat!

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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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True humility and fear of the Lord
    lead to riches, honor, and long life.

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27 Put your outdoor work in order
    and get your fields ready;
    after that, build your house.

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27 Do your planning and prepare your fields
    before building your house.

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18 The one who guards a fig tree will eat its fruit,(A)
    and whoever protects their master will be honored.(B)

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18 As workers who tend a fig tree are allowed to eat the fruit,
    so workers who protect their employer’s interests will be rewarded.

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23 Be sure you know the condition of your flocks,(A)
    give careful attention to your herds;
24 for riches do not endure forever,(B)
    and a crown is not secure for all generations.
25 When the hay is removed and new growth appears
    and the grass from the hills is gathered in,
26 the lambs will provide you with clothing,
    and the goats with the price of a field.
27 You will have plenty of goats’ milk to feed your family
    and to nourish your female servants.

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23 Know the state of your flocks,
    and put your heart into caring for your herds,
24 for riches don’t last forever,
    and the crown might not be passed to the next generation.
25 After the hay is harvested and the new crop appears
    and the mountain grasses are gathered in,
26 your sheep will provide wool for clothing,
    and your goats will provide the price of a field.
27 And you will have enough goats’ milk for yourself,
    your family, and your servant girls.

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