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13 Happy is the one[a] who finds wisdom,
    and one who obtains understanding.
14 For her[b] income is better than the income of silver,
    and her revenue than that of gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
    and all your desires shall not compare with her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand;
    in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
    and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life for those who seize her;
    those who take hold of her are considered happy.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:13 Literally “a man”
  2. Proverbs 3:14 Or “its”; both “wisdom” and “understanding” are feminine nouns and can be read as either “she” or “it”

13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
    the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
    and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
    and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
    all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
    happy are those who hold her tightly.

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Benefits of Following Wisdom

32 “And now, children, listen to me;
    happy are those who will keep my ways.
33 Hear teaching and be wise;
    do not neglect it.
34 Happy is the person who listens to me,
    in order to keep watch at my doors day by day,
    in order to guard the frames of my entrances.

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32 “And so, my children,[a] listen to me,
    for all who follow my ways are joyful.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise.
    Don’t ignore it.
34 Joyful are those who listen to me,
    watching for me daily at my gates,
    waiting for me outside my home!

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Footnotes

  1. 8:32 Hebrew my sons.

14 From the fruit of the mouth of a man, he is filled with good,
    and the reward of a man’s labor[a] will return to him.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:14 Literally “the hands of a man”

14 Wise words bring many benefits,
    and hard work brings rewards.

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20 Deceit is in the heart[a] of those who plan[b] evil,
    but to those who plan[c] peace, there is joy.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:20 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 12:20 Literally “the planners of”
  3. Proverbs 12:20 Literally “the planners of”

20 Deceit fills hearts that are plotting evil;
    joy fills hearts that are planning peace!

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21 He who despises his neighbor is a sinner,
    but he who has mercy on the poor blesses him.

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21 It is a sin to belittle one’s neighbor;
    blessed are those who help the poor.

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13 A heart[a] of gladness will make good countenance,[b]
    but in sorrow of heart[c] a spirit is broken.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:13 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 15:13 Literally “faces”
  3. Proverbs 15:13 Or “mind”

13 A glad heart makes a happy face;
    a broken heart crushes the spirit.

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15 All the days of the poor are hard,
    but goodness of heart[a] is a continuous feast.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:15 Or “mind”

15 For the despondent, every day brings trouble;
    for the happy heart, life is a continual feast.

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30 From the light of the eyes, the heart[a] will rejoice,
    and good news will enliven the bones.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:30 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 15:30 Hebrew “bone”

30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
    good news makes for good health.

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20 He who is attentive to a matter will find goodness,
    and he who trusts in Yahweh, his own happiness.

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20 Those who listen to instruction will prosper;
    those who trust the Lord will be joyful.

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15 My child, if your heart[a] is wise,
    my heart will be glad—even me!
16 And my insides[b] will rejoice
    when your lips speak what is upright.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:15 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 23:16 Literally “kidneys”

15 My child,[a] if your heart is wise,
    my own heart will rejoice!
16 Everything in me will celebrate
    when you speak what is right.

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Footnotes

  1. 23:15 Hebrew My son; also in 23:19.