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27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,[a]
    when it is in your power to do it.(A)
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go and come again;
    tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you.(B)
29 Do not plan harm against your neighbor
    who lives trustingly beside you.(C)
30 Do not quarrel with anyone without cause,
    when no harm has been done to you.(D)
31 Do not envy the violent,
    and do not choose any of their ways,(E)
32 for the perverse are an abomination to the Lord,
    but the upright are in his confidence.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 3.27 Heb from its owners

Wisdom in Action

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Go, and come back.
        I will pay you[a] tomorrow,”
when you have cash[b] with you.
29 Do not plan to harm your neighbor,
    when he is living peacefully[c] beside you.
30 Do not bring a lawsuit against a person for no reason,
    when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a violent man,
    and do not emulate his lifestyle.[d]
32 Indeed, a perverse man is utterly disgusting[e] to the Lord,
    but he takes the upright into his confidence.[f]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:28 Lit. it
  2. Proverbs 3:28 The Heb. lacks cash
  3. Proverbs 3:29 Or securely
  4. Proverbs 3:31 Lit. ways
  5. Proverbs 3:32 Lit. an abomination
  6. Proverbs 3:32 Lit. but his secret counsel is with the upright

Treasures gained by wickedness do not profit,
    but righteousness delivers from death.

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Nothing good comes from ill-gotten wealth,
    but righteousness delivers from death.

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11 A false balance is an abomination to the Lord,
    but an accurate weight is his delight.(A)

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The Value of Righteousness

11 The Lord hates false scales,
but he delights in accurate weights.

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Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives;
    those who open wide their lips come to ruin.(A)

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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

11 Wealth hastily gotten[a] will dwindle,
    but those who gather little by little will increase it.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 13.11 Gk Vg: Heb from vanity

11 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away,
    but whoever works diligently increases his prosperity.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:11 The Heb. lacks his prosperity

Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord,
    but one who is devious in conduct despises him.(A)

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Someone whose conduct is upright fears the Lord,
    but whoever is devious in his ways despises him.

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A faithful witness does not lie,
    but a false witness breathes out lies.(A)

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A trustworthy witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness spews lies.

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27 Those greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,
    but those who hate bribes will live.(A)

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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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By loyalty and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for,
    and by the fear of the Lord one avoids evil.(A)

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Iniquity is atoned for by gracious love and truth,
    and through fear of the Lord people[a] turn from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:6 The Heb. lacks people

Better is a little with righteousness
    than large income with injustice.

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A little gain[a] with righteousness is better
    than great income without justice.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:8 The Heb. lacks gain

11 Honest balances and scales are the Lord’s;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.(A)

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11 Honest scales and balances are from the Lord;
    he made all the weights in the bag.

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A slave who deals wisely will rule over a child who acts shamefully
    and will share the inheritance as one of the family.(A)

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A prudent servant will rule in place of a disgraceful son
    and will share in the inheritance among brothers.

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