Let love and faithfulness(A) never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.(B)

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Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
    Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
    Write them deep within your heart.

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17 Those who are kind benefit themselves,
    but the cruel bring ruin on themselves.

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17 Your kindness will reward you,
    but your cruelty will destroy you.

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24 Gracious words are a honeycomb,(A)
    sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.(B)

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24 Kind words are like honey—
    sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

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25 Though their speech is charming,(A) do not believe them,
    for seven abominations fill their hearts.(B)

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25 They pretend to be kind, but don’t believe them.
    Their hearts are full of many evils.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 26:25 Hebrew seven evils.

Whoever increases wealth by taking interest(A) or profit from the poor
    amasses it for another,(B) who will be kind to the poor.(C)

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Income from charging high interest rates
    will end up in the pocket of someone who is kind to the poor.

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26 She speaks with wisdom,
    and faithful instruction is on her tongue.(A)

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26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
    and she gives instructions with kindness.

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