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12 So teach us to count our days
    that we may gain a wise heart.(A)

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16 making the most of the time, because the days are evil.(A) 17 So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.(B)

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Lord, let me know my end
    and what is the measure of my days;
    let me know how fleeting my life is.(A)

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We[a] must work the works of him who sent me[b] while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 9.4 Other ancient authorities read I
  2. 9.4 Other ancient authorities read us

29 If they were wise, they would understand this;
    they would discern what their end would be.(A)

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The beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom,
    and whatever else you get, get insight.(A)

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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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10 Whatever your hand finds to do, do with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going.(A)

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Watchful Slaves

35 “Be dressed for action and have your lamps lit;(A) 36 be like those who are waiting for their master to return from the wedding banquet, so that they may open the door for him as soon as he comes and knocks. 37 Blessed are those slaves whom the master finds alert when he comes; truly I tell you, he will fasten his belt and have them sit down to eat, and he will come and serve them.(B) 38 If he comes during the middle of the night or near dawn and finds them so, blessed are those slaves.

39 “But know this: if the owner of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he[a] would not have let his house be broken into.(C) 40 You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 12.39 Other ancient authorities add would have watched and

12 Apply your mind to instruction
    and your ear to words of knowledge.(A)

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making your ear attentive to wisdom
    and inclining your heart to understanding,
if you indeed cry out for insight
    and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver
    and search for it as for hidden treasures—(A)
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
    and find the knowledge of God.(B)
For the Lord gives wisdom;
    from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;(C)

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Sayings of the Wise

17     The words of the wise:

Incline your ear and hear my words[a]
    and apply your mind to my teaching,

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Footnotes

  1. 22.17 Cn Compare Gk: Heb Incline your ear, and hear the words of the wise

18 The one who lives alone is self-indulgent,
    showing contempt for all sound judgment.[a]
A fool takes no pleasure in understanding,
    but only in expressing personal opinion.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 18.1 Meaning of Heb uncertain

Get wisdom; get insight: do not forget nor turn away
    from the words of my mouth.(A)

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16 How much better to get wisdom than gold!
    To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.(A)

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The False Attractions of Adultery

My child, keep my words
    and store up my commandments with you;(A)
keep my commandments and live;
    keep my teachings as the apple[a] of your eye;(B)
bind them on your fingers;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.(C)
Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”
    and call insight your intimate friend,

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Footnotes

  1. 7.2 Heb little man

28 And he said to humankind,
‘Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
    and to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”(A)

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23 Buy truth, and do not sell it;
    buy wisdom, instruction, and understanding.(A)

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32 “And now, my children, listen to me:
    happy are those who keep my ways.(A)
33 Hear instruction and be wise,
    and do not neglect it.
34 Happy is the one who listens to me,
    watching daily at my gates,
    waiting beside my doors.(B)
35 For whoever finds me finds life
    and obtains favor from the Lord,(C)
36 but those who miss me injure themselves;
    all who hate me love death.”(D)

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