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21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
    Hang on to them,
22 for they will refresh your soul.
    They are like jewels on a necklace.
23 They keep you safe on your way,
    and your feet will not stumble.
24 You can go to bed without fear;
    you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
    or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26 for the Lord is your security.
    He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

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21 Have two goals: wisdom—that is, knowing and doing right—and common sense. Don’t let them slip away, 22 for they fill you with living energy and bring you honor and respect.[a] 23 They keep you safe from defeat and disaster and from stumbling off the trail. 24-26 With them on guard you can sleep without fear; you need not be afraid of disaster or the plots of wicked men, for the Lord is with you; he protects you.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:22 bring you honor and respect, literally, “be an ornament to your neck.”

The godliness of good people rescues them;
    the ambition of treacherous people traps them.

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The good man’s goodness delivers him; the evil man’s treachery is his undoing.

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The godly are rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.

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God rescues good men from danger while letting the wicked fall into it.

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15 There’s danger in putting up security for a stranger’s debt;
    it’s safer not to guarantee another person’s debt.

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15 Be sure you know a person well before you vouch for his credit! Better refuse than suffer later.

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The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush,
    but the words of the godly save lives.

The wicked die and disappear,
    but the family of the godly stands firm.

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The wicked accuse; the godly defend.

The wicked shall perish; the godly shall stand.

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13 The wicked are trapped by their own words,
    but the godly escape such trouble.

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13 Lies will get any man into trouble, but honesty is its own defense.

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21 No harm comes to the godly,
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

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21 No real harm befalls the good, but there is constant trouble for the wicked.

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Those who control their tongue will have a long life;
    opening your mouth can ruin everything.

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Self-control means controlling the tongue! A quick retort can ruin everything.

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14 The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain;
    those who accept it avoid the snares of death.

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14 The advice of a wise man refreshes like water from a mountain spring. Those accepting it become aware of the pitfalls on ahead.

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24 The path of life leads upward for the wise;
    they leave the grave[a] behind.

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Footnotes

  1. 15:24 Hebrew Sheol.

24 The road of the godly leads upward, leaving hell behind.

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

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27 Dishonest money brings grief to all the family, but hating bribes brings happiness.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:27 brings happiness, literally, “you will live.”

16 Keep the commandments and keep your life;
    despising them leads to death.

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16 Keep the commandments and keep your life; despising them means death.

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