21 Maintain sound wisdom and discretion.
My son, don’t lose sight of them.(A)
22 They will be life for you[a](B)
and adornment[b] for your neck.
23 Then you will go safely on your way;
your foot will not stumble.(C)
24 When you lie[c] down, you will not be afraid;(D)
you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.
25 Don’t fear sudden danger
or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,(E)
26 for the Lord will be your confidence[d]
and will keep your foot from a snare.(F)

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Footnotes

  1. 3:22 Or be your throat
  2. 3:22 Or grace
  3. 3:24 LXX reads sit
  4. 3:26 Or be at your side

Benefits of Wisdom

21 My son, do not let wisdom[a] leave your sight.
    Carefully observe sound judgment and discernment,
22 and they will be life to you
    and a graceful ornament[b] for your neck.
23 Then you will travel safely on your way,
    and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you sit[c] down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.[d]
25 Do not be afraid of sudden disaster,[e]
    or the devastation that comes to the wicked.
26 Indeed, the Lord will be your confidence,
    and he will keep your foot from being caught.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:21 The Heb. lacks wisdom
  2. Proverbs 3:22 Lit. grace
  3. Proverbs 3:24 So LXX; MT reads lie
  4. Proverbs 3:24 Or sweet
  5. Proverbs 3:25 Lit. terror

The righteousness of the upright rescues them,
but the treacherous are trapped by their own desires.(A)

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The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
    but the treacherous are trapped by their evil desires.

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The righteous one is rescued from trouble;
in his place, the wicked one goes in.(A)

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The righteous person is delivered from trouble;
    it comes upon the wicked instead.

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15 If someone puts up security for a stranger,
he will suffer for it,(A)
but the one who hates such agreements is protected.

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15 Securing a loan for a stranger will bring suffering,
    but by refusing to do so, one remains safe.

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The words of the wicked are a deadly ambush,(A)
but the speech of the upright rescues them.(B)

The wicked are overthrown and perish,(C)
but the house of the righteous will stand.(D)

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The words of the wicked lead to[a] bloodshed,
    but the speech of the upright delivers them.
After they’re overthrown, the wicked won’t be found,
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:6 Lit. wicked lie in wait for

13 By rebellious speech an evil person is trapped,(A)
but a righteous person escapes from trouble.(B)

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13 An evil man’s sinful speech ensnares him,
    but the righteous person escapes from trouble.

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21 No disaster overcomes the righteous,(A)
but the wicked are full of misery.

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21 No harm overwhelms the righteous,
    but the wicked overflow with trouble.

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The one who guards his mouth protects his life;(A)
the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.(B)

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Anyone who guards his words protects his life;
    anyone who talks too much[a] is ruined.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:3 Lit. who opens wide his lips

14 A wise person’s instruction is a fountain of life,(A)
turning people away from the snares of death.(B)

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14 What the wise have to teach is a fountain of life
    and causes someone to avoid the snares of death.

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24 For the prudent the path of life leads upward,
so that he may avoid going down to Sheol.

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24 The way of life leads upward for the wise
    so he may avoid Sheol[a] below.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:24 I.e. the realm of the dead

27 The one who profits dishonestly(A) troubles his household,
but the one who hates bribes will live.(B)

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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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16 The one who keeps commands preserves himself;(A)
one who disregards[a] his ways will die.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 19:16 Or despises, or treats lightly

16 Whoever obeys a commandment keeps himself safe,[a]
    but someone who is contemptuous in conduct[b] will die.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:16 Lit. keeps his soul
  2. Proverbs 19:16 Lit. in his way