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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,

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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;

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23 Guard your heart above all else,
    for it determines the course of your life.

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23 Above all else, guard(A) your heart,
    for everything you do flows from it.(B)

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20 The words of the godly are like sterling silver;
    the heart of a fool is worthless.

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20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
    but the heart of the wicked is of little value.

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20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
    joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

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20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
    but those who promote peace have joy.(A)

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13 A glad heart makes a happy face;
    a broken heart crushes the spirit.

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13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(A)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(B)

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15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble;
    for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

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15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(A)

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

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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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16 We can make our own plans,
    but the Lord gives the right answer.

People may be pure in their own eyes,
    but the Lord examines their motives.

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16 To humans belong the plans of the heart,
    but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue.(A)

All a person’s ways seem pure to them,(B)
    but motives are weighed(C) by the Lord.(D)

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The Lord detests the proud;
    they will surely be punished.

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The Lord detests all the proud of heart.(A)
    Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.(B)

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21 The wise are known for their understanding,
    and pleasant words are persuasive.

22 Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,
    but discipline is wasted on fools.

23 From a wise mind comes wise speech;
    the words of the wise are persuasive.

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21 The wise in heart are called discerning,
    and gracious words promote instruction.[a](A)

22 Prudence is a fountain of life to the prudent,(B)
    but folly brings punishment to fools.

23 The hearts of the wise make their mouths prudent,(C)
    and their lips promote instruction.[b](D)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Or words make a person persuasive
  2. Proverbs 16:23 Or prudent / and make their lips persuasive

Fire tests the purity of silver and gold,
    but the Lord tests the heart.

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The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold,(A)
    but the Lord tests the heart.(B)

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

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

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