27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.(A)
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
    who lives trustfully near you.(B)
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
    when they have done you no harm.

31 Do not envy(C) the violent
    or choose any of their ways.

32 For the Lord detests the perverse(D)
    but takes the upright into his confidence.(E)

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Wisdom in Action

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Go, and come back.
        I will pay you[a] tomorrow,”
when you have cash[b] with you.
29 Do not plan to harm your neighbor,
    when he is living peacefully[c] beside you.
30 Do not bring a lawsuit against a person for no reason,
    when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a violent man,
    and do not emulate his lifestyle.[d]
32 Indeed, a perverse man is utterly disgusting[e] to the Lord,
    but he takes the upright into his confidence.[f]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:28 Lit. it
  2. Proverbs 3:28 The Heb. lacks cash
  3. Proverbs 3:29 Or securely
  4. Proverbs 3:31 Lit. ways
  5. Proverbs 3:32 Lit. an abomination
  6. Proverbs 3:32 Lit. but his secret counsel is with the upright

Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,(A)
    but righteousness delivers from death.(B)

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Nothing good comes from ill-gotten wealth,
    but righteousness delivers from death.

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11 The Lord detests dishonest scales,(A)
    but accurate weights find favor with him.(B)

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The Value of Righteousness

11 The Lord hates false scales,
but he delights in accurate weights.

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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

11 Dishonest money dwindles away,(A)
    but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow.

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11 Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away,
    but whoever works diligently increases his prosperity.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:11 The Heb. lacks his prosperity

Whoever fears the Lord walks uprightly,
    but those who despise him are devious in their ways.

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Someone whose conduct is upright fears the Lord,
    but whoever is devious in his ways despises him.

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An honest witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness pours out lies.(A)

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A trustworthy witness does not deceive,
    but a false witness spews lies.

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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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Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for;
    through the fear of the Lord(A) evil is avoided.(B)

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Iniquity is atoned for by gracious love and truth,
    and through fear of the Lord people[a] turn from evil.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:6 The Heb. lacks people

Better a little with righteousness
    than much gain(A) with injustice.(B)

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A little gain[a] with righteousness is better
    than great income without justice.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:8 The Heb. lacks gain

11 Honest scales and balances belong to the Lord;
    all the weights in the bag are of his making.(A)

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11 Honest scales and balances are from the Lord;
    he made all the weights in the bag.

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A prudent servant will rule over a disgraceful son
    and will share the inheritance as one of the family.

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A prudent servant will rule in place of a disgraceful son
    and will share in the inheritance among brothers.

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