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God’s Wisdom in Creation

19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
    by understanding he established the heavens;
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke forth,
    and the clouds drop down the dew.

The True Security

21 My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion;
    let them not escape from your sight,[a]
22 and they will be life for your soul
    and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely
    and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you sit down,[b] you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden panic,
    or of the ruin[c] of the wicked, when it comes;
26 for the Lord will be your confidence
    and will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it[d] is due,
    when it is in your power to do it.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
    tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor
    who dwells trustingly beside you.
30 Do not contend with a man for no reason,
    when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a man of violence
    and do not choose any of his ways;
32 for the perverse man is an abomination to the Lord,
    but the upright are in his confidence.
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
    but he blesses the abode of the righteous.
34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,
    but to the humble he shows favor.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:21 Reversing the order of the clauses
  2. Proverbs 3:24 Gk: Heb lie down
  3. Proverbs 3:25 Heb storm
  4. Proverbs 3:27 Heb Do not withhold good from its owners

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