He stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
He is a (A)shield to those who walk in integrity,

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He stores up sound wisdom for the upright
    and is a shield to those who walk in integrity—

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Go to the (A)ant, you [a](B)lazy one,
Observe its ways and be wise,
Which, having (C)no chief,
Officer, or ruler,
Prepares its food (D)in the summer
And gathers its provision in the harvest.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 6:6 Lit idle one

The Folly of Laziness

Go to the ant, you lazy man!
    Observe its ways and become wise.
It has no commander,
    officer, or ruler,
but prepares its provisions in the summer
    and gathers its food in the harvest.

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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.

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The Way of Wisdom

12 “I, wisdom, am related to[a] prudence.
    I know how to be discreet.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
    Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle,
        and perverted speech I despise.
14 Counsel belongs to me,
    along with sound judgment.
I am understanding.
    Power belongs to me.
15 Kings reign by me,
    and rulers dispense justice through me.
16 By me leaders rule, as do noble officials
    and all who govern justly.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:12 Lit. wisdom, live with
  2. Proverbs 8:16 So MT; LXX reads and tyrants rule the earth

The (A)righteousness of the blameless will smooth his way,
But (B)the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.

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The righteousness of the innocent creates a level path,
    but the wicked fall by their wickedness.

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23 The desire of the righteous is only good,
But the (A)expectation of the wicked is wrath.

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23 The desire of the righteous is to seek good,
    but the hope of the wicked results in wrath.

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24 The hand of the diligent will rule,
But the [a]lazy hand will be (A)put to forced labor.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:24 Lit idle

24 The diligent will take control,
    but the lazy will be put to forced labor.

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From the fruit of a person’s mouth he [a](A)enjoys good,
But the [b]desire of the treacherous is (B)violence.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:2 Lit eats
  2. Proverbs 13:2 Lit soul

From the fruit of his words a man receives benefit,[a]
    but the treacherous crave violence.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:2 Lit. man eats good things

13 One who (A)despises the word will do badly,
But one who fears the commandment will be (B)rewarded.

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13 Anyone who despises a word of advice will pay for it,
    but whoever heeds a command will be rewarded.

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22 Without consultation, plans are frustrated,
But with many counselors they [a]succeed.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:22 Or are established

22 Plans fail without advice,
    but with many counselors they are confirmed.

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[a](A)Commit your works to the Lord,
And your plans will be established.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:3 Lit Roll

Entrust your work to the Lord,
    and your planning will succeed.

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The mind of a (A)person plans his way,
But (B)the Lord directs his steps.

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A person plans his way,
    but the Lord directs his steps.

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12 It is an abomination for kings to commit wicked acts,
Because a (A)throne is established on righteousness.

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12 Kings detest wrongdoing,
    for through righteousness the throne is established.

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