Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
Tie them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.(A)

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Do not let gracious love and truth leave you.
    Bind them around your neck,
        write them on the tablet of your heart,

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17 A kind man benefits himself,(A)
but a cruel man brings disaster on himself.(B)

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17 A gracious man benefits himself,
    but the cruel person damages himself.

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24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:(A)
sweet to the taste[a] and health to the body.[b](B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:24 Lit throat
  2. Proverbs 16:24 Lit bones

24 Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb—
    sweet to the soul and healing for the body.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:24 Lit. bone

25 When he speaks graciously, don’t believe him,
for there are seven abominations in his heart.(A)

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25 Though he speaks graciously, don’t believe him,
    for there are seven detestable things in his heart.

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Whoever increases his wealth through excessive interest(A)
collects it for one who is kind to the poor.(B)

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Whoever gains wealth by charging exorbitant[a] interest
    collects it for someone who is kind to the poor.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:8 Lit. charging interest upon

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom
and loving instruction[a] is on her tongue.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:26 Or and the teaching of kindness

26 She speaks wisely,
    teaching with gracious love.

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