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May loyal love[a] and truth not forsake you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them upon your heart.
And you shall find favor and good sense[b]
    in the eyes of God and humankind.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:3 Or “kindness, mercy”
  2. Proverbs 3:4 Or “understanding, prudence”

Don’t let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
    Bind them on your neck;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will find favor and approval
    in the eyes of God and humanity.

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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”

Value of wisdom

13 Happy are those who find wisdom
    and those who gain understanding.
14 Her profit is better than silver,
    and her gain better than gold.
15 Her value exceeds pearls;
    all you desire can’t compare with her.
16 In her right hand is a long life;
    in her left are wealth and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant;
    all her paths are peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
    those who hold her tight are happy.

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35 They will inherit the honor of the wise,
    but stubborn fools, disgrace.

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35 The wise gain respect,
    but fools receive shame.

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The beginning of wisdom: Get wisdom!
    With all that is in your possession, gain insight.
Cherish her and she will exalt you;
    she will honor you if you embrace her.
She will give a garland for your head;
    she shall bestow a crown of glory upon you.”

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The beginning of wisdom:
Get wisdom!
    Get understanding before anything else.
Highly esteem her, and she will exalt you.
    She will honor you if you embrace her.
She will place a graceful wreath on your head;
    she will give you a glorious crown.”

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The memory of righteousness is like a blessing,
    but the name of the wicked will rot.

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The memory of the righteous is a blessing,
    but the name of the wicked rots.

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16 A woman of grace receives honor,
    but the ruthless gets wealth.

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16 A gracious woman gains honor;
    violent men gain only wealth.

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26 He who withholds grain, the people curse him,
    but a blessing is for the head of him who sells.
27 He who diligently seeks good seeks favor,
    but he who inquires of evil, it will come to him.

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26 People curse those who hoard grain,
    but they bless those[a] who sell it.
27 Those who look for good find favor,
    but those who seek evil—it will come to them.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 11:26 Or the heads of those

For his mouth of good sense, a man will be recommended,
    but he who is of perverse mind[a] will be despised.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:8 Literally “heart”

A person is praised for his insight,
    but a warped mind leads to contempt.

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It is better to be lowly and a servant to someone[a]
    than self-glorifying and lacking food.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:9 Literally “for him,” “belonging to him”

Better to be held in low regard and have a servant
    than to be conceited and lack food.

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15 Good sense grants favor,
    but the way of the faithless is coarse.

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15 Good insight brings favor,
    but the way of the faithless is their ruin.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 13:15 LXX, Syr, Vulg; MT endures

18 Poverty and disgrace belong to him who ignores instruction,
    but he who guards reproof will be honored.

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18 Poverty and shame come to those who don’t care about instruction;
    honor belongs to those who heed correction.

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35 The favor of a king is for the servant who deals wisely,
    but his wrath will be on him who acts shamefully.

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35 The king favors an insightful servant,
    but is furious at a shameful one.

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