13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.(A)
15 She is more precious than rubies;(B)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.(C)
16 Long life is in her right hand;(D)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.(F)
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.(H)

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13 (A)Blessed is a person who finds wisdom,
And one who obtains understanding.
14 For [a]her (B)profit is better than the profit of silver,
And her produce better than gold.
15 She is (C)more precious than [b]jewels,
And nothing you desire compares with her.
16 [c](D)Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are (E)riches and honor.
17 Her (F)ways are pleasant ways,
And all her paths are (G)peace.
18 She is a (H)tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are those who hold on to her.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:14 I.e., the profit from Wisdom (personified)
  2. Proverbs 3:15 Lit corals
  3. Proverbs 3:16 Lit Length of days

32 “Now then, my children, listen(A) to me;
    blessed are(B) those who keep my ways.(C)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(D) to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.

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32 “Now then, sons, (A)listen to me,
For (B)blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 (C)Listen to instruction and be wise,
And do not neglect it.
34 (D)Blessed is the person who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.

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14 From the fruit of their lips people are filled with good things,(A)
    and the work of their hands brings them reward.(B)

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14 A person will be (A)satisfied with good by the fruit of his [a]words,
And the (B)deeds of a person’s hands will return to him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:14 Lit mouth

20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
    but those who promote peace have joy.(A)

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20 Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil,
But counselors of peace have joy.

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21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(A)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(B)

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21 One who (A)despises his neighbor sins,
But (B)one who is gracious to the [a]poor is blessed.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:21 Or afflicted

13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(A)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(B)

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13 A (A)joyful heart makes a [a]cheerful face,
But [b]when the heart is (B)sad, the (C)spirit is broken.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:13 Lit good
  2. Proverbs 15:13 Lit in sadness of heart

15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(A)

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15 All the days of the [a]needy are bad,
But a [b]cheerful heart has a continual feast.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:15 Or wretched
  2. Proverbs 15:15 Lit good

30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.(A)

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30 [a]Bright eyes gladden the heart;
Good news [b]refreshes the bones.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:30 Lit The light of the eyes gladdens
  2. Proverbs 15:30 Lit makes fat

20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[a](A)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good

20 One who pays attention to the word will (A)find good,
And (B)blessed is one who trusts in the Lord.

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Saying 14

15 My son, if your heart is wise,
    then my heart will be glad indeed;
16 my inmost being will rejoice
    when your lips speak what is right.(A)

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15 My son, if your heart is (A)wise,
My own heart also will be glad,
16 And my [a]innermost being will rejoice
When your lips speak (B)what is right.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:16 Lit kidneys