10 The heart knows its own (A)bitterness,
    and no stranger shares its joy.

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10 Each heart knows its own bitterness,
    and no one else can share its joy.

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13 Even in laughter the heart may ache,
    and (A)the end of joy may be (B)grief.

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13 Even in laughter(A) the heart may ache,
    and rejoicing may end in grief.

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13 (A)A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but by (B)sorrow of heart the spirit is (C)crushed.

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

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15 All the days of the afflicted are evil,
    but (A)the cheerful of heart has 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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22 (A)A joyful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit (B)dries up the bones.

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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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14 A man's spirit will endure sickness,
    but (A)a crushed spirit who can bear?

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14 The human spirit can endure in sickness,
    but a crushed spirit who can bear?(A)

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Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom

13 (A)Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
    and the one who gets understanding,
14 (B)for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
    and her profit better than (C)gold.
15 She is more precious than (D)jewels,
    and (E)nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 (F)Long life is in her right hand;
    in her left hand are (G)riches and honor.
17 Her (H)ways are ways of pleasantness,
    and all her paths are peace.
18 She is (I)a tree of life to those who (J)lay hold of her;
    those who hold her fast are called blessed.

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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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20 Whoever gives thought to the word[a] (A)will discover good,
    and blessed is he (B)who trusts in the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 Or to a matter

20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[a](A)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good

23 The fear of the Lord (A)leads to life,
    and whoever has it rests (B)satisfied;
    he will (C)not be visited by harm.

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23 The fear of the Lord leads to life;
    then one rests content, untouched by trouble.(A)

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32 “And now, (A)O sons, listen to me:
    (B)blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 (C)Hear instruction and be wise,
    and do not neglect it.
34 (D)Blessed is the one who listens to me,
    watching daily at my gates,
    waiting beside my doors.
35 For (E)whoever finds me (F)finds life
    and (G)obtains favor from the Lord,
36 but he who fails to find me (H)injures himself;
    all who (I)hate me (J)love death.”

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32 “Now then, my children, listen(A) to me;
    blessed are(B) those who keep my ways.(C)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(D) to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me(E) find life(F)
    and receive favor from the Lord.(G)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;(H)
    all who hate me love death.”(I)

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28 (A)The hope of the righteous brings joy,
    (B)but the expectation of the wicked will perish.

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28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.(A)

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20 Deceit is in the heart of (A)those who devise evil,
    but those who plan peace have joy.

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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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21 Whoever (A)despises his neighbor is a sinner,
    but (B)blessed is he who is generous to the poor.

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21 It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor,(A)
    but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.(B)

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