18 She is a tree of life(A) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.(B)

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18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her.
    Happy is everyone who retains her.

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32 “Now then, my children, listen(A) to me;
    blessed are(B) those who keep my ways.(C)
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
    do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen(D) to me,
    watching daily at my doors,
    waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me(E) find life(F)
    and receive favor from the Lord.(G)
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;(H)
    all who hate me love death.”(I)

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32 “Now therefore, my sons, listen to me,
    for blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Hear instruction, and be wise.
    Don’t refuse it.
34 Blessed is the man who hears me,
    watching daily at my gates,
    waiting at my door posts.
35 For whoever finds me, finds life,
    and will obtain favor from Yahweh.
36 But he who sins against me wrongs his own soul.
    All those who hate me love death.”

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28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.(A)

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28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
    but the hope of the wicked will perish.

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25 Anxiety weighs down the heart,(A)
    but a kind word cheers it up.

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25 Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down,
    but a kind word makes it glad.

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13 A happy heart makes the face cheerful,(A)
    but heartache crushes the spirit.(B)

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13 A glad heart makes a cheerful face,
    but an aching heart breaks the spirit.

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15 All the days of the oppressed are wretched,
    but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.(A)

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15 All the days of the afflicted are wretched,
    but one who has a cheerful heart enjoys a continual feast.

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30 Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart,
    and good news gives health to the bones.(A)

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30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart.
    Good news gives health to the bones.

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20 Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers,[a](A)
    and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:20 Or whoever speaks prudently finds what is good

20 He who heeds the Word finds prosperity.
    Whoever trusts in Yahweh is blessed.

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22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a crushed(A) spirit dries up the bones.(B)

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22 A cheerful heart makes good medicine,
    but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

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25 May your father and mother rejoice;
    may she who gave you birth be joyful!(A)

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25 Let your father and your mother be glad!
    Let her who bore you rejoice!

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Saying 28

17 Do not gloat(A) when your enemy falls;
    when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice,(B)
18 or the Lord will see and disapprove
    and turn his wrath away from them.(C)

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17 Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls.
    Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown,
18 lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him,
    and he turn away his wrath from him.

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20 A faithful person will be richly blessed,
    but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.(A)

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20 A faithful man is rich with blessings;
    but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.

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18 Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint;
    but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.(A)

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18 Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
    but one who keeps the law is blessed.

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