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27 Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
28 Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again;
    tomorrow I will give it to you,”
    when you have it by you.
29 Don’t devise evil against your neighbor,
    since he dwells securely by you.
30 Don’t strive with a man without cause,
    if he has done you no harm.
31 Don’t envy the man of violence.
    Choose none of his ways.
32 For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh,
    but his friendship is with the upright.

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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 of wickedness profit nothing,
    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 Yahweh,
    but accurate weights are his delight.

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The Value of Righteousness

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

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He who guards his mouth guards his soul.
    One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

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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 gained dishonestly dwindles away,
    but he who gathers by hand makes it grow.

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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

He who walks in his uprightness fears Yahweh,
    but he who is perverse in his ways despises him.

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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 truthful witness will not lie,
    but a false witness pours out lies.

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

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27 He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house,
    but he who 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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By mercy and truth iniquity is atoned for.
    By the fear of Yahweh men depart from evil.

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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 great revenues 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 Yahweh’s;
    all the weights in the bag are his work.

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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 servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame,
    and shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.

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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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