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The True Wealth

13 Happy are those who find wisdom
    and those who get understanding,
14 for her income is better than silver
    and her revenue better than gold.(A)
15 She is more precious than jewels,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.(B)
16 Long life is in her right hand;
    in her left hand are riches and honor.(C)
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
    and all her paths are peace.(D)
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
    those who hold her fast are called happy.(E)

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13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
    the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
    and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
    and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
    all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
    happy are those who hold her tightly.

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32 “And now, my children, listen to me:
    happy are those who keep my ways.(A)
33 Hear instruction and be wise,
    and do not neglect it.
34 Happy is the one who listens to me,
    watching daily at my gates,
    waiting beside my doors.(B)

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32 “And so, my children,[a] listen to me,
    for all who follow my ways are joyful.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise.
    Don’t ignore it.
34 Joyful are those who listen to me,
    watching for me daily at my gates,
    waiting for me outside my home!

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Footnotes

  1. 8:32 Hebrew my sons.

14 From the fruit of the mouth one is filled with good things,
    and manual labor has its reward.(A)

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14 Wise words bring many benefits,
    and hard work brings rewards.

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20 Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,
    but those who counsel peace have joy.(A)

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20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
    joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

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21 Those who despise their neighbors are sinners,
    but happy are those who are kind to the poor.(A)

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21 It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor;
    blessed are those who help the poor.

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13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.(A)

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13 A glad heart makes a happy face;
    a broken heart crushes the spirit.

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15 All the days of the poor are hard,
    but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

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15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble;
    for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

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30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and good news refreshes the body.

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30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
    good news makes for good health.

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20 Those who are attentive to a matter will prosper,
    and happy are those who trust in the Lord.(A)

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20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper;
    those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

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15 My child, if your heart is wise,
    my heart also will be glad.
16 My soul will rejoice
    when your lips speak what is right.

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15 My child,[a] if your heart is wise,
    my own heart will rejoice!
16 Everything in me will celebrate
    when you speak what is right.

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Footnotes

  1. 23:15 Hebrew My son; also in 23:19.