21 My son, see that (A)they do not escape from your sight;
Comply with sound wisdom and discretion,
22 And they will be (B)life to your soul
And (C)adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will (D)walk in your way securely,
And your foot will not (E)stumble.
24 When you (F)lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 (G)Do not be afraid of sudden danger,
Nor of (H)trouble from the wicked when it comes;
26 For the Lord will be [a]your confidence,
And will (I)keep your foot from being caught.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:26 Or at your side

Benefits of Wisdom

21 My son, do not let wisdom[a] leave your sight.
    Carefully observe sound judgment and discernment,
22 and they will be life to you
    and a graceful ornament[b] for your neck.
23 Then you will travel safely on your way,
    and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you sit[c] down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.[d]
25 Do not be afraid of sudden disaster,[e]
    or the devastation that comes to the wicked.
26 Indeed, the Lord will be your confidence,
    and he will keep your foot from being caught.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:21 The Heb. lacks wisdom
  2. Proverbs 3:22 Lit. grace
  3. Proverbs 3:24 So LXX; MT reads lie
  4. Proverbs 3:24 Or sweet
  5. Proverbs 3:25 Lit. terror

The righteousness of the upright will rescue them,
But the treacherous will (A)be caught by their own greed.

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The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the treacherous are trapped by their evil desires.

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The righteous is rescued from trouble,
But the wicked [a]takes his place.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:8 Lit enters

The righteous person is delivered from trouble;
    it comes upon the wicked instead.

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15 One who is a (A)guarantor for a stranger will certainly suffer for it,
But one who hates [a]being a guarantor is secure.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:15 Lit those who strike hands

15 Securing a loan for a stranger will bring suffering,
    but by refusing to do so, one remains safe.

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The (A)words of the wicked wait in ambush for blood,
But the (B)mouth of the upright will rescue them.
The (C)wicked are overthrown and are no more,
But the (D)house of the righteous will stand.

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The words of the wicked lead to[a] bloodshed,
    but the speech of the upright delivers them.
After they’re overthrown, the wicked won’t be found,
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:6 Lit. wicked lie in wait for

13 [a]An evil person is ensnared by the offense of his lips,
But the (A)righteous will escape from trouble.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:13 Lit In the offense of the lips is an evil snare

13 An evil man’s sinful speech ensnares him,
    but the righteous person escapes from trouble.

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21 (A)No harm happens to the righteous,
But the wicked are filled with trouble.

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21 No harm overwhelms the righteous,
    but the wicked overflow with trouble.

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One who (A)guards his mouth protects his life;
One who (B)opens wide his lips [a]comes to ruin.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:3 Lit ruin is his

Anyone who guards his words protects his life;
    anyone who talks too much[a] is ruined.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:3 Lit. who opens wide his lips

14 The [a]teaching of the wise is a (A)fountain of life,
To turn aside from the (B)snares of death.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:14 Or law

14 What the wise have to teach is a fountain of life
    and causes someone to avoid the snares of death.

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24 The (A)path of life leads upward for the wise,
So that he may keep away from [a]Sheol below.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:24 I.e., the netherworld

24 The way of life leads upward for the wise
    so he may avoid Sheol[a] below.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:24 I.e. the realm of the dead

27 He who (A)profits illicitly troubles his own house,
But he who (B)hates bribes will live.

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27 Those who are greedy for unjust gain bring trouble into their homes,
    but the person who hates bribes will live.

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16 One who (A)keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But one who [a]is careless of [b]conduct will die.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:16 Lit despises
  2. Proverbs 19:16 Lit ways

16 Whoever obeys a commandment keeps himself safe,[a]
    but someone who is contemptuous in conduct[b] will die.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:16 Lit. keeps his soul
  2. Proverbs 19:16 Lit. in his way