21 My son,(A) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,(B)
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,(C)
    an ornament to grace your neck.(D)
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,(E)
    and your foot will not stumble.(F)
24 When you lie down,(G) you will not be afraid;(H)
    when you lie down, your sleep(I) will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side(J)
    and will keep your foot(K) from being snared.(L)

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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 delivers them,
    but the unfaithful are trapped by evil 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 person is rescued from trouble,
    and it falls on the wicked instead.(A)

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

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15 Whoever puts up security(A) for a stranger will surely suffer,
    but whoever refuses to shake hands in pledge is safe.(B)

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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 lie in wait for blood,
    but the speech of the upright rescues them.(A)

The wicked are overthrown and are no more,(B)
    but the house of the righteous stands firm.(C)

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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 Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk,(A)
    and so the innocent escape 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 harm overtakes the righteous,(A)
    but the wicked have their fill of trouble.

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

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Those who guard their lips(A) preserve their lives,(B)
    but those who speak rashly will come to ruin.(C)

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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 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life,(A)
    turning a person 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 The path of life leads upward for the prudent
    to keep them from going down to the realm of the dead.

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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 greedy bring ruin to their households,
    but the one who hates 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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16 Whoever keeps commandments keeps their life,
    but whoever shows contempt for their ways will die.(A)

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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