12 I, Wisdom, share a home with shrewdness
and have knowledge and discretion.(A)
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.(B)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.
14 I possess good advice and competence;[a]
I have understanding and strength.(C)
15 It is by me that kings reign(D)
and rulers enact just law;
16 by me, princes lead,
as do nobles and all righteous judges.[b]
17 I love those who love me,(E)
and those who search for me find me.(F)
18 With me are riches and honor,(G)
lasting wealth and righteousness.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:14 Or resourcefulness
  2. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hb mss, LXX read nobles who judge the earth

12 I, Wisdom, dwell with prudence;
    I have found knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.
    I hate pride and arrogance,
        the path of evil and corrupt speech.
14 I have advice and ability,
    as well as understanding and strength.
15 By me kings rule,
    and princes issue righteous decrees.
16 By me rulers govern,
    and officials judge righteously.[a]
17 I love those who love me;
    those who seek me will find me.
18 Riches and honor are with me,
    as well as enduring wealth and righteousness.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 8:16 Heb uncertain

20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are His delight.(A)

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20 The Lord detests a crooked heart,
    but he favors those whose path is innocent.

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The good person obtains favor from the Lord,(A)
but He condemns a man who schemes.(B)

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The Lord favors good people,
    but he condemns schemers.

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22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord,(A)
but faithful people are His delight.(B)

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22 The Lord detests false lips;
    he favors those who do what is true.

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31 The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,(A)
but one who is kind to the needy honors Him.(B)

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31 Those who exploit the powerless anger their maker,
    while those who are kind to the poor honor God.

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The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,(A)
but the prayer of the upright is His delight.(B)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but He loves the one who pursues righteousness.(C)

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The Lord detests the sacrifices of the wicked,
    but favors the prayers of those who do right.
The Lord detests the path of the wicked,
    but loves those who pursue righteousness.

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30 Lashes and wounds purge away evil,(A)
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 20:30 Lit beatings the chambers of the belly

30 Blows and bruises remove evil;
    beatings cleanse the inner parts.

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Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(A)

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Acting with righteousness and justice
    is more valued by the Lord than sacrifice.

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21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.(A)

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21 Those who pursue righteousness and kindness
    will find life, righteousness, and honor.

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The result of humility is fear of the Lord,
along with wealth, honor, and life.(A)

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

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