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The Rewards of Wisdom

My son, do not forget my [a]teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;

For length of days and years of life [worth living]
And tranquility and prosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings] they will add to you.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:1 Or law.

The Rewards of Wisdom

My son, (A)do not forget my [a]teaching,
But have your heart (B)comply with my commandments;
For (C)length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:1 Or law


He who corrects and instructs a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And he who rebukes a wicked man gets insults for himself.

[a]Do not correct a scoffer [who foolishly ridicules and takes no responsibility for his error] or he will hate you;
Correct a wise man [who learns from his error], and he will love you.(A)

Give instruction to a wise man and he will become even wiser;
Teach a righteous man and he will increase his learning.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:8 The ancient rabbis took this to have the force of a commandment: never give a rebuke that is sure to be ignored.

One who (A)corrects a scoffer gets dishonor for himself,
And one who rebukes a wicked person gets [a]insults for himself.
(B)Do not rebuke a scoffer, or he will hate you;
(C)Rebuke a wise person and he will love you.
Give instruction to a wise person and he will become still wiser;
Teach a righteous person and he will (D)increase his insight.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 9:7 Lit a blemish


The wise in heart [are willing to learn so they] will accept and obey commands (instruction),
But the babbling fool [who is arrogant and thinks himself wise] will come to ruin.

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The (A)wise of heart will receive commands,
But [a]a babbling fool will come to ruin.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:8 Lit the foolish of lips

15 
The way of the [arrogant] fool [who rejects God’s wisdom] is right in his own eyes,
But a wise and prudent man is he who listens to counsel.(A)

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15 The (A)way of a fool is right in his own eyes,
But a person who listens to advice is wise.

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Contrast the Upright and the Wicked

13 A wise son heeds and accepts [and is the result of] his father’s discipline and instruction,
But a scoffer does not listen to reprimand and does not learn from his errors.

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Contrast of the Upright and the Wicked

13 A (A)wise son accepts his father’s discipline,
But a (B)scoffer does not listen to rebuke.

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13 
Whoever despises the word and counsel [of God] brings destruction upon himself,
But he who [reverently] fears and respects the commandment [of God] will be rewarded.

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13 One who (A)despises the word will do badly,
But one who fears the commandment will be (B)rewarded.

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31 
The ear that listens to and learns from the life-giving rebuke (reprimand, censure)
Will remain among the wise.

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31 One whose ear listens to a life-giving rebuke
Will stay among the wise.

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10 
A reprimand goes deeper into one who has understanding and a teachable spirit
Than a hundred lashes into a fool.(A)

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10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding
Than a hundred blows into a fool.

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16 
He who keeps and obeys the commandment [of the Lord] keeps (guards) his own life,
But he who is careless of his ways and conduct will die.(A)

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16 One who (A)keeps the commandment keeps his soul,
But one who [a]is careless of [b]conduct will die.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:16 Lit despises
  2. Proverbs 19:16 Lit ways

20 
Listen to counsel, receive instruction, and accept correction,
That you may be wise in the time to come.

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20 (A)Listen to advice and accept discipline,
So that you may be wise [a]the rest of your days.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:20 Lit in your latter end

25 
Strike a scoffer [for refusing to learn], and the naive may [be warned and] become prudent;
Reprimand one who has understanding and a teachable spirit, and he will gain knowledge and insight.

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25 (A)Strike a scoffer and the naive may become clever,
But (B)rebuke one who has understanding, and he will [a]gain knowledge.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:25 Lit discern

27 
Cease listening, my son, to instruction and discipline
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

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27 Stop listening, my son, to discipline,
And you will stray from the words of knowledge.

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