18 but they set an ambush to kill themselves;[a]
they attack their own lives.
19 Such are the paths of all who make profit dishonestly;(A)
it takes the lives of those who receive it.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:18 Lit they ambush for their blood
  2. Proverbs 1:19 Lit takes the life of its masters

18 But these people set an ambush for themselves;
    they are trying to get themselves killed.
19 Such is the fate of all who are greedy for money;
    it robs them of life.

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16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure 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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27 The one who profits dishonestly(A) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(B)

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27 Greed brings grief to the whole family,
    but those who hate bribes will live.

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26 He is filled with craving[a] all day long,
but the righteous give and don’t hold back.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:26 Lit He craves a craving

26 Some people are always greedy for more,
    but the godly love to give!

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22 A good name is to be chosen over great wealth;
favor is better than silver and gold.(A)

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22 Choose a good reputation over great riches;
    being held in high esteem is better than silver or gold.

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16 If you find honey,(A) eat only what you need;
otherwise, you’ll get sick from it and vomit.(B)

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16 Do you like honey?
    Don’t eat too much, or it will make you sick!

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20 Sheol and Abaddon(A) are never satisfied,(B)
and people’s eyes are never satisfied.(C)

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20 Just as Death and Destruction[a] are never satisfied,
    so human desire is never satisfied.

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Footnotes

  1. 27:20 Hebrew Sheol and Abaddon.

Better a poor man who lives with integrity(A)
than a rich man who distorts right and wrong.[a](B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:6 Lit who twists two ways

Better to be poor and honest
    than to be dishonest and rich.

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Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest(A)
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.(B)

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Income from charging high interest rates
    will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

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22 A greedy man[a] is in a hurry for wealth;
he doesn’t know that poverty will come to him.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:22 Lit A man with an evil eye

22 Greedy people try to get rich quick
    but don’t realize they’re headed for poverty.

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25 A greedy person provokes conflict,(A)
but whoever trusts in the Lord will prosper.(B)

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25 Greed causes fighting;
    trusting the Lord leads to prosperity.

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By justice a king brings stability to a land,(A)
but a man who demands “contributions”[a]
demolishes it.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 29:4 The Hb word for “contributions” usually refers to offerings in worship.

A just king gives stability to his nation,
    but one who demands bribes destroys it.

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