Wealth is not profitable on a day of wrath,
but righteousness rescues from death.(A)

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Wealth won’t help in the time of judgment,[a]
    but righteousness will deliver from death.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:4 Lit. the day of wrath

16 A gracious woman gains honor,
but violent[a] people gain only riches.

17 A kind man benefits himself,(A)
but a cruel person brings ruin on himself.(B)

18 The wicked person earns an empty wage,
but the one who sows righteousness, a true reward.(C)

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Footnotes

  1. 11:16 Or ruthless

16 A gracious woman attains honor,[a]
    but[b] ruthless men attain[c] wealth.
17 A gracious man benefits himself,
    but the cruel person damages himself.

18 Evil people earn deceptive wages,
    but those who plant righteousness are truly rewarded.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:16 So MT; LXX reads honor for her husband
  2. Proverbs 11:16 So MT; LXX reads but a seat of dishonor is for the woman who hates justice
  3. Proverbs 11:16 So MT; LXX reads justice. The deficient shrink from wealth, but the diligent support themselves with

28 Anyone trusting in his riches will fall,(A)
but the righteous will flourish like foliage.(B)

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28 The person who trusts in his wealth will fall,
    but the righteous will flourish like green leaves.

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11 Wealth obtained by fraud will dwindle,(A)
but whoever earns it through labor[a] will multiply it.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 13:11 Lit whoever gathers upon his hand

11 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away,
    but whoever works diligently increases his prosperity.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:11 The Heb. lacks his prosperity

16 Better a little with the fear of the Lord
than great treasure with turmoil.(A)

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On Contentment and Other Good Things of Life

16 Better is a little accompanied by fear of the Lord
    than abundant wealth with turmoil.

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27 The one who profits dishonestly(A) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(B)

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27 Those who are greedy for unjust gain bring trouble into their homes,
    but the person who hates bribes will live.

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A bribe(A) seems like a magic stone to its owner;
wherever he turns, he succeeds.(B)

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A bribe works wonders[a] in the eyes of its giver;
    wherever he turns he prospers.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:8 Lit. A gift is a stone of favor

17 Food gained by fraud is sweet to a person,(A)
but afterward his mouth is full of gravel.(B)

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17 Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man,
    but later his mouth will be full of gravel.

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21 An inheritance gained prematurely
will not be blessed ultimately.(A)

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21 An inheritance quickly obtained at the beginning
    will not be blessed at the end.

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The plans of the diligent certainly lead to profit,
but anyone who is reckless certainly becomes poor.(A)

Making a fortune through a lying tongue
is a vanishing mist,[a] a pursuit of death.[b][c](B)

The violence of the wicked sweeps them away
because they refuse to act justly.

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Footnotes

  1. 21:6 Or a breath blown away
  2. 21:6 Some Hb mss, LXX, Vg read a snare of death
  3. 21:6 Lit is vanity, ones seeking death

Plans of the persistent surely lead to productivity,
    but all who are hasty will surely become poor.

A fortune gained by deceit[a]
    is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.[b]

Devastation caused by the wicked will drag them away
    because they refuse to do what is just.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:6 Lit. by a lying tongue
  2. Proverbs 21:6 So MT; LXX reads is pursuing worthlessness into deadly snares

14 A secret gift soothes anger,
and a covert bribe, fierce rage.(A)

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14 Privately given gifts pacify wrath,
    and payments made secretly[a] appease[b] great anger.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 21:14 Lit. made under the cloak
  2. Proverbs 21:14 The Heb. lacks appease

Better the poor person who lives with integrity(A)
than the rich one who distorts right and wrong.[a](B)

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Footnotes

  1. 28:6 Lit who twists two ways

It’s better to be poor and live a blameless life
    than to be rich but crooked in one’s lifestyle.

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