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13 A stupid child is ruin to a father,
    and a wife’s quarreling is a continual dripping of rain.(A)
14 House and wealth are inherited from parents,
    but a prudent wife is from the Lord.(B)

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13 A foolish child[a] is a calamity to a father;
    a quarrelsome wife is as annoying as constant dripping.

14 Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth,
    but only the Lord can give an understanding wife.

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Footnotes

  1. 19:13 Hebrew son; also in 19:27.

26 Those who do violence to their father and chase away their mother
    are children who cause shame and bring reproach.
27 My child, stop ignoring instruction,
    straying[a] from words of knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. 19.27 Cn: Meaning of Heb uncertain

26 Children who mistreat their father or chase away their mother
    are an embarrassment and a public disgrace.

27 If you stop listening to instruction, my child,
    you will turn your back on knowledge.

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20 If you curse father or mother,
    your lamp will go out in utter darkness.(A)

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20 If you insult your father or mother,
    your light will be snuffed out in total darkness.

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15 Folly is bound up in the heart of a child,
    but the rod of discipline drives it far away.(A)

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15 A youngster’s heart is filled with foolishness,
    but physical discipline will drive it far away.

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28 Do not remove the ancient landmark
    that your ancestors set up.(A)

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28 Don’t cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers
    set up by previous generations.

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22 Listen to your father who begot you,
    and do not despise your mother when she is old.(A)

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22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
    and don’t despise your mother when she is old.

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24 The father of the righteous will greatly rejoice;
    he who fathers a wise son will be glad in him.(A)
25 Let your father and mother be glad;
    let her who bore you rejoice.

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24 The father of godly children has cause for joy.
    What a pleasure to have children who are wise.[a]
25 So give your father and mother joy!
    May she who gave you birth be happy.

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Footnotes

  1. 23:24 Hebrew to have a wise son.

Like a bird that strays from its nest
    is one who strays from home.

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A person who strays from home
    is like a bird that strays from its nest.

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10 Do not forsake your friend or the friend of your parent;
    do not go to the house of your kindred in the day of your calamity.
Better is a neighbor who is nearby
    than kindred who are far away.(A)

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10 Never abandon a friend—
    either yours or your father’s.
When disaster strikes, you won’t have to ask your brother for assistance.
    It’s better to go to a neighbor than to a brother who lives far away.

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Those who keep the law are wise children,
    but companions of gluttons shame their parents.(A)

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Young people who obey the law are wise;
    those with wild friends bring shame to their parents.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 28:7 Hebrew their father.

24 Anyone who robs father or mother
    and says, “That is no crime,”
    is partner to a thug.(A)

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24 Anyone who steals from his father and mother
    and says, “What’s wrong with that?”
    is no better than a murderer.

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A child who loves wisdom makes a parent glad,
    but a companion of prostitutes destroys wealth.(A)

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The man who loves wisdom brings joy to his father,
    but if he hangs around with prostitutes, his wealth is wasted.

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17 The eye that mocks a father
    and scorns to obey a mother
will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley
    and eaten by the vultures.(A)

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17 The eye that mocks a father
    and despises a mother’s instructions
will be plucked out by ravens of the valley
    and eaten by vultures.

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