12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence,
    and I find knowledge and (A)discretion.
13 (B)The fear of the Lord is (C)hatred of evil.
(D)Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and (E)perverted speech I hate.
14 I have (F)counsel and (G)sound wisdom;
    I have insight; (H)I have strength.
15 By me (I)kings reign,
    and rulers decree what is just;
16 by me princes rule,
    and nobles, all who govern justly.[a]
17 (J)I love those who love me,
    and (K)those who seek me diligently find me.
18 (L)Riches and honor are with me,
    (M)enduring wealth and (N)righteousness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:16 Most Hebrew manuscripts; many Hebrew manuscripts, Septuagint govern the earth

The Way of Wisdom

12 “I, wisdom, am related to[a] prudence.
    I know how to be discreet.
13 The fear of the Lord is to hate evil.
    Pride, arrogance, an evil lifestyle,
        and perverted speech I despise.
14 Counsel belongs to me,
    along with sound judgment.
I am understanding.
    Power belongs to me.
15 Kings reign by me,
    and rulers dispense justice through me.
16 By me leaders rule, as do noble officials
    and all who govern justly.[b]
17 I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me will find me.
18 Wealth and honor accompany me,
    as do enduring wealth and righteousness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:12 Lit. wisdom, live with
  2. Proverbs 8:16 So MT; LXX reads and tyrants rule the earth

20 Those of (A)crooked heart are (B)an abomination to the Lord,
    but those of (C)blameless ways are (D)his delight.

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20 Devious minds are abhorrent to the Lord,
    but those whose ways are innocent are his delight.

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A good man (A)obtains favor from the Lord,
    but a man of evil devices he condemns.

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The good person will gain favor from the Lord,
    but the man who plots evil will be condemned by him.

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22 (A)Lying lips are (B)an abomination to the Lord,
    (C)but those who act faithfully are his delight.

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22 Deceitful speech is reprehensible to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.

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31 Whoever oppresses a poor man (A)insults his (B)Maker,
    (C)but he who is generous to the needy honors him.

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31 Whoever oppresses the poor defies their Creator,
    but whoever is kind to the needy honors them.

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(A)The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but (B)the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but he loves him (C)who pursues righteousness.

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The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,
    but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
The lifestyle of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,
    but he loves those who ardently pursue righteousness.

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30 (A)Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
    strokes make clean (B)the innermost parts.

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30 Blows that wound clean away evil;
    such beatings cleanse[a] the innermost being.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:30 The Heb. lacks cleanse

(A)To do righteousness and justice
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

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To do what is right and just
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.

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21 Whoever (A)pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find (B)life, righteousness, and honor.

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21 Whoever pursues righteousness and gracious love
    finds life, righteousness, and honor.

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The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
    is (A)riches and honor and life.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:4 Or The reward for humility is the fear of the Lord, riches and honor and life

The reward of humility is the fear of the Lord,
    along with wealth, honor, and life.

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