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22 He who finds a wife finds a good thing
    and obtains favor from the Lord.(A)

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22 Whoever finds a wife finds what is good,
    and receives favor from the Lord.

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

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14 A house and self-sufficiency are a father’s inheritance,
    but from the Lord comes an insightful wife.

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18 Discipline your children while there is hope;
    do not set your heart on their destruction.(A)

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18 Discipline your son while there is still hope—
    but don’t set your heart on his destruction.

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The righteous walk in integrity—
    happy are the children who follow them!(A)

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The righteous person lives a life of integrity;
    happy are his children who follow him!

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Train children in the right way,
    and when old, they will not stray.(A)

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Train a child in the way appropriate for him,
    and when he becomes older, he will not turn from it.

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15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline drives it far away.(A)

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15 A child’s heart has a tendency to do wrong,
    but the rod of discipline removes it far away from him.

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13 Do not withhold discipline from your children;
    if you beat them with a rod, they will not die.(A)
14 If you beat them with the rod,
    you will save their lives from Sheol.

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13 Don’t withhold discipline from a child;
    if you punish him with a rod,
        he won’t die.
14 Punish him with a rod,
    and you will rescue his soul from Sheol.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:14 I.e. the realm of the dead

11 Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad,
    so that I may answer whoever reproaches me.(A)

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11 Be wise, my son, and make me happy,
    so I can reply to anyone who insults me.

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A child who loves wisdom makes a parent glad,
    but a companion of prostitutes destroys wealth.(A)

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The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
    but anyone who consorts with immoral women squanders his wealth.

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15 The rod and reproof give wisdom,
    but a mother is disgraced by a neglected child.(A)

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15 The rod and rebuke bestow wisdom,
    but an undisciplined child[a] brings shame to his mother.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:15 Lit. but a child left alone

17 Discipline your children, and they will give you rest;
    they will give delight to your heart.(A)

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17 Correct your son and he will comfort you;
    he will also delight your soul.

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Ode to a Woman of Strength

10 A woman of strength who can find?
    She is far more precious than jewels.(A)
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
    and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not harm
    all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax
    and works with willing hands.(B)
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
    she brings her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is still night
    and provides food for her household
    and tasks for her female servants.(C)
16 She considers a field and buys it;
    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength
    and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
    Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
    and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor
    and reaches out her hands to the needy.(D)
21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
    for all her household are clothed in crimson.(E)
22 She makes herself coverings;
    her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the city gates,
    taking his seat among the elders of the land.(F)
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
    she supplies the merchant with sashes.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
    and she laughs at the time to come.(G)
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
    and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.(H)
27 She looks well to the ways of her household
    and does not eat the bread of idleness.(I)
28 Her children rise up and call her happy;
    her husband, too, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
    but you surpass them all.”(J)
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.(K)
31 Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,
    and let her works praise her in the city gates.

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The Honorable Woman

10 Who can find a capable wife?
    Her value far exceeds the finest jewels.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her;
    as a result, he lacks nothing of value.
12 She will bring good to him—never evil—
    every day of her life.
13 She seeks out wool and flax,
    working with eager hands.
14 She is like a seagoing ship
    that brings her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is still night,
    preparing meals for her family
        and providing for her women servants.
16 She evaluates a field and purchases it;
    from the proceeds she plants a vineyard.
17 She clothes herself with fortitude,
    and fortifies her arms with strength.
18 She is confident that her profits are sufficient.
    Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She works with her own hands on her clothes[a]
    her hands work the sewing spindle.
20 She reaches out to the poor,
    opening her hands to those in need.
21 She is unafraid of winter’s effect on[b] her household,
    because all of them are warmly clothed.[c]
22 She creates her own bedding,
    using fine linen and violet cloth.
23 Her husband is well known;[d]
    he sits among the leaders of the land.
24 She designs and sells linen garments,
    supplying accessories[e] to clothiers.
25 Strength and dignity are her garments;
    she smiles about the future.
26 She speaks wisely,
    teaching with gracious love.
27 She looks discretely to the affairs of her household,
    and she is never lazy.[f]
28 Her children stand up and encourage her,
    as does her husband, who praises her:
29 “Many women have done wonderful things,” he says,[g]
    “but you surpass all of them!”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty fades;
    but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
31 Reward her for her work—
    let her actions result in public praise.[h]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:19 Lit. staff
  2. Proverbs 31:21 Lit. of the snow for
  3. Proverbs 31:21 Lit. are clothed in red
  4. Proverbs 31:23 Lit. is known in the gates
  5. Proverbs 31:24 Or belts
  6. Proverbs 31:27 Lit. she does not eat the food of laziness
  7. Proverbs 31:29 The Heb. lacks he says
  8. Proverbs 31:31 Lit. in praise in the gates