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Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and turn away from evil.(A)
It will be a healing for your flesh
    and a refreshment for your body.(B)

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Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.

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The True Wealth

13 Happy are those who find wisdom
    and those who get understanding,
14 for her income is better than silver
    and her revenue better than gold.(A)
15 She is more precious than jewels,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.(B)
16 Long life is in her right hand;
    in her left hand are riches and honor.(C)
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
    and all her paths are peace.(D)
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
    those who hold her fast are called happy.(E)

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13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
    the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
    and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
    and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
    all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
    happy are those who hold her tightly.

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Admonition to Keep to the Right Path

10 Hear, my child, and accept my words,
    that the years of your life may be many.

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10 My child,[a] listen to me and do as I say,
    and you will have a long, good life.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:10 Hebrew My son; also in 4:20.

20 My child, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.(A)
22 For they are life to those who find them
    and healing to all their flesh.(B)

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20 My child, pay attention to what I say.
    Listen carefully to my words.
21 Don’t lose sight of them.
    Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22 for they bring life to those who find them,
    and healing to their whole body.

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11 For by me your days will be multiplied,
    and years will be added to your life.(A)

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11 Wisdom will multiply your days
    and add years to your life.

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27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,
    but the years of the wicked will be short.(A)

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27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life,
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.

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30 A tranquil mind gives life to the flesh,
    but jealousy makes the bones rot.(A)

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30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
    jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

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30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and good news refreshes the body.

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30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
    good news makes for good health.

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17 The highway of the upright avoids evil;
    those who guard their way preserve their lives.

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17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil;
    whoever follows that path is safe.

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24 Pleasant words are like a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and health to the body.

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24 Kind words are like honey—
    sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

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

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22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

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17 Do not let your heart envy sinners,
    but always continue in the fear of the Lord.(A)
18 Surely there is a future,
    and your hope will not be cut off.

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17 Don’t envy sinners,
    but always continue to fear the Lord.
18 You will be rewarded for this;
    your hope will not be disappointed.

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