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18 yet they lie in wait—to kill themselves!
    and set an ambush—for their own lives!
19 Such is the end[a] of all who are greedy for gain;
    it takes away the life of its possessors.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 1.19 Gk: Heb are the ways

18 but these people[a] lie in wait for their own blood.[b]
        They ambush only themselves.
19 Such is the way of all those who seek illicit gain—
    it takes away the lives of those who possess it.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 1:18 Lit. they
  2. Proverbs 1:18 The Heb. lacks their own

16 Better is a little with the fear of the Lord
    than great treasure and trouble with it.(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 Those greedy for unjust gain make trouble for their households,
    but those who hate bribes will live.(A)

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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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26 All day long the wicked covet,[a]
    but the righteous give and do not hold back.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 21.26 Gk: Heb all day long one covets covetously

26 All day long he continues to crave,
    while the righteous person gives without holding back.

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22 A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches,
    and favor is better than silver or gold.(A)

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Advice for Everyday Life

22 A good reputation is more desirable than great wealth,
and favorable acceptance more than silver and gold.

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16 If you have found honey, eat only enough for you,
    lest, having too much, you vomit it up.(A)

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16 If you find some honey,
    eat only what you need.
Take too much,
    and you’ll vomit.

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20 Sheol and Abaddon are never satisfied,
    and human eyes are never satisfied.(A)

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20 Sheol[a] and Abaddon[b] are never satiated,
    and neither are human eyes.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 27:20 I.e. the realm of the dead
  2. Proverbs 27:20 I.e. the realm of destruction in the afterlife

Better to be poor and walk in integrity
    than to be crooked in one’s ways even though rich.(A)

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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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One who augments wealth by exorbitant interest
    gathers it for another who is kind to the poor.(A)

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Whoever gains wealth by charging exorbitant[a] interest
    collects it for someone who is kind to the poor.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:8 Lit. charging interest upon

22 The miser is in a hurry to get rich
    and does not know that loss is sure to come.

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22 The miser[a] is in a hurry to get wealthy,
    but he isn’t aware that poverty will catch up with him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:22 Lit. The man with an evil eye

25 The greedy person stirs up strife,
    but whoever trusts in the Lord will be enriched.(A)

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25 An arrogant[a] man stirs up dissension,
    but anyone who trusts in the Lord prospers.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 28:25 Or greedy

By justice a king gives stability to the land,
    but one who makes heavy exactions ruins it.

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A king brings stability to a land through justice,
    but a man who takes bribes brings it to ruin.

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