22 A man who finds a wife finds a good thing(A)
and obtains favor from the Lord.(B)

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22 He who finds a wife finds what is good,
    gaining favor from the Lord.

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14 A house and wealth are inherited from fathers,(A)
but a sensible wife is from the Lord.

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14 House and riches are an inheritance from one’s ancestors,
    but an insightful wife is from the Lord.

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18 Discipline your son while there is hope;
don’t be intent on killing him.[a](A)

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 19:18 Lit don’t lift up your soul to his death

18 Discipline your children while there is hope,
    but don’t plan to kill them.

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The one who lives with integrity is righteous;(A)
his children[a] who come after him will be happy.(B)

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 20:7 Lit sons

The righteous live with integrity;
    happy are their children who come after them.

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Teach a youth about the way he should go;(A)
even when he is old he will not depart from it.

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Train children in the way they should go;
    when they grow old, they won’t depart from it.

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15 Foolishness is tangled up in the heart of a youth;
the rod of discipline will drive it away from him.(A)

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15 Folly is bound up in a child’s heart;
    the rod of discipline removes it.

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13 Don’t withhold discipline from a youth;
if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.(A)
14 Strike him with a rod,
and you will rescue his life from Sheol.(B)

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13 Don’t withhold instruction from children;
    if you strike them with a rod, they won’t die.
14 Strike them with a rod,
    and you will save their lives from the grave.[a]

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 23:14 Heb Sheol

11 Be wise, my son, and bring my heart joy,(A)
so that I can answer anyone who taunts me.(B)

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11 Be wise, my child, and make my heart glad,
    so I can answer those who insult me.

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A man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,(A)
but one who consorts with prostitutes destroys his wealth.(B)

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A man who loves wisdom makes his father rejoice,
    but one who spends time with prostitutes destroys riches.

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15 A rod of correction imparts wisdom,(A)
but a youth left to himself[a]
is a disgrace to his mother.(B)

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 29:15 Lit youth sent away

15 The rod and correction lead to wisdom,
    but children out of control shame their mothers.

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17 Discipline your son, and it will bring you peace of mind(A)
and give you delight.

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17 Instruct your children; they will give you peace of mind
    and bring delight into your life.

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In Praise of a Capable Wife

10 Who can find a capable wife?[a](A)
She is far more precious than jewels.[b]
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will not lack anything good.
12 She rewards him with good, not evil,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from far away.(B)
15 She rises while it is still night(C)
and provides food for her household
and portions[c] for her female servants.(D)
16 She evaluates a field and buys it;
she plants a vineyard with her earnings.[d](E)
17 She draws on her strength[e]
and reveals that her arms are strong.(F)
18 She sees that her profits are good,
and her lamp never goes out at night.(G)
19 She extends her hands to the spinning staff,
and her hands hold the spindle.(H)
20 Her hands reach[f] out to the poor,
and she extends her hands to the needy.(I)
21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all in her household are doubly clothed.[g]
22 She makes her own bed coverings;(J)
her clothing is fine linen(K) and purple.(L)
23 Her husband is known at the city gates,
where he sits among the elders of the land.(M)
24 She makes and sells linen garments;
she delivers belts[h] to the merchants.
25 Strength(N) and honor are her clothing,(O)
and she can laugh at the time to come.(P)
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom
and loving instruction[i] is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the activities of her household(Q)
and is never idle.[j]
28 Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:
29 “Many women[k] are capable,
but you surpass them all!”(R)
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,(S)
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
31 Give her the reward of her labor,[l]
and let her works praise her at the city gates.

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 31:10 Or a wife of quality, or a wife of noble character
  2. Proverbs 31:10 Vv. 10-31 form an acrostic.
  3. Proverbs 31:15 Or tasks
  4. Proverbs 31:16 Or vineyard by her own labors
  5. Proverbs 31:17 Lit She wraps strength around her like a belt
  6. Proverbs 31:20 Lit Her hand reaches
  7. Proverbs 31:21 LXX, Vg; MT reads are dressed in scarlet
  8. Proverbs 31:24 Or sashes
  9. Proverbs 31:26 Or and the teaching of kindness
  10. Proverbs 31:27 Lit and does not eat the bread of idleness
  11. Proverbs 31:29 Lit daughters
  12. Proverbs 31:31 Lit the fruit of her hands

The competent wife

10 A competent wife, how does one find her?
    Her value is far above pearls.
11 Her husband entrusts his heart to her,
    and with her he will have all he needs.
12 She brings him good and not trouble
    all the days of her life.
13 She seeks out wool and flax;
    she works joyfully with her hands.
14 She is like a fleet of merchant ships,
    bringing food from a distance.
15 She gets up while it is still night,
    providing food for her household,
    even some for her female servants.
16 She surveys a field and acquires it;
    from her own resources, she plants a vineyard.
17 She works energetically;
    her arms are powerful.
18 She realizes that her trading is successful;
    she doesn’t put out her lamp at night.
19 She puts her hands to the spindle;
    her palms grasp the whorl.
20 She reaches out to the needy;
    she stretches out her hands to the poor.
21 She doesn’t fear for her household when it snows,
    because they are all dressed in warm[a] clothes.
22 She makes bedspreads for herself;
    fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23 Her husband is known in the city gates
    when he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes garments and sells them;
    she supplies sashes to traders.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing;
    she is confident about the future.
26 Her mouth is full of wisdom;
    kindly teaching is on her tongue.
27 She is vigilant over the activities of her household;
    she doesn’t eat the food of laziness.
28 Her children bless her;
    her husband praises her:
29     “Many women act competently,
    but you surpass them all!”
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Let her share in the results of her work;
    let her deeds praise her in the city gates.

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Notas al pie

  1. Proverbs 31:21 LXX; MT red