Do not be wise in your own eyes;(A)
    fear the Lord(B) and shun evil.(C)
This will bring health to your body(D)
    and nourishment to your bones.(E)

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Do not be wise in your own opinion.
    Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
This will bring healing to your body,
    and refreshment to your bones.

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13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.(A)
15 She is more precious than rubies;(B)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.(C)
16 Long life is in her right hand;(D)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.(F)
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.(H)

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Wisdom More Valuable than Riches

13 How joyful is the man who finds wisdom,
    and the man who gains understanding,
14 because her profit is better than the profit of silver,
    and her yield than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
    and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand,
    and in her left are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life for those who embrace her,
    and whoever clutches her tightly will be joyful.

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10 Listen, my son,(A) accept what I say,
    and the years of your life will be many.(B)

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10 Listen, my son: accept my words,
    and you’ll live a long, long time.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:10 Lit. and the years of your life will be many

20 My son,(A) pay attention to what I say;
    turn your ear to my words.(B)
21 Do not let them out of your sight,(C)
    keep them within your heart;
22 for they are life to those who find them
    and health to one’s whole body.(D)

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Remembering the Counsel of a Wise Father

20 My son, pay attention to my words,
    and listen closely[a] to what I say.
21 Do not let them out of your sight;
    keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
    and healing to their whole body.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:20 Lit. turn your ear
  2. Proverbs 4:22 Lit. flesh

11 For through wisdom[a] your days will be many,
    and years will be added to your life.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me

11 For because of me you will live a long life,
    and years will be added to your life.

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27 The fear of the Lord adds length to life,(A)
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.(B)

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27 Fearing the Lord prolongs life,
    but the wicked will not live long.

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30 A heart at peace gives life to the body,
    but envy rots the bones.(A)

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30 A tranquil mind brings life to one’s body,
    but jealousy causes one’s bones to rot.

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30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.(A)

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30 Bright eyes[a] encourage the heart;
    good news nourishes the body.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:30 Or A cheerful look
  2. Proverbs 15:30 Lit. bones

17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their ways preserve their lives.(A)

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17 The road of the upright circumvents evil,
    and whoever watches how he lives[a] preserves his life.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:17 Lit. watches his path

24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,(A)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.(B)

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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

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed(A) spirit dries up the bones.(B)

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22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a broken spirit drains one’s strength.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:22 Lit. spirit dries the bones

Saying 15

17 Do not let your heart envy(A) sinners,
    but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
18 There is surely a future hope for you,
    and your hope will not be cut off.(B)

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17 Never let yourself envy sinners;
    instead, remain[a] in fear of the Lord every day,
18 for there is surely a future life,
    and what you hope for will not be cut off.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:17 The Heb. lacks remain