Don’t be wise in your own eyes;(A)
fear the Lord and turn away from evil.(B)
This will be healing for your body[a](C)
and strengthening for your bones.(D)

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Footnotes

  1. 3:8 Lit navel

Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.

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Wisdom Brings Happiness

13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom(A)
and who acquires understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver,
and her revenue is better than gold.(B)
15 She is more precious than jewels;(C)
nothing you desire can equal her.(D)
16 Long life[a] is in her right hand;
in her left, riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant,(F)
and all her paths, peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.

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Footnotes

  1. 3:16 Lit Length of days

13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
    the one who gains understanding.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
    and her wages are better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
    and riches and honor in her left.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
    all her ways are satisfying.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
    happy are those who hold her tightly.

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Two Ways of Life

10 Listen, my son. Accept my words,(A)
and you will live many years.(B)

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10 My child,[a] listen to me and do as I say,
    and you will have a long, good life.

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Footnotes

  1. 4:10 Hebrew My son; also in 4:20.

The Straight Path

20 My son, pay attention to my words;
listen closely to my sayings.(A)
21 Don’t lose sight of them;(B)
keep them within your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them,
and health to one’s whole body.

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20 My child, pay attention to what I say.
    Listen carefully to my words.
21 Don’t lose sight of them.
    Let them penetrate deep into your heart,
22 for they bring life to those who find them,
    and healing to their whole body.

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11 For by me your days will be many,
and years will be added to your life.

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11 Wisdom will multiply your days
    and add years to your life.

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27 The fear of the Lord prolongs life,[a](A)
but the years of the wicked are cut short.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. 10:27 Lit Lord adds to days

27 Fear of the Lord lengthens one’s life,
    but the years of the wicked are cut short.

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30 A tranquil heart is life to the body,(A)
but jealousy is rottenness to the bones.(B)

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30 A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body;
    jealousy is like cancer in the bones.

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30 Bright eyes cheer the heart;
good news strengthens[a] the bones.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 15:30 Lit makes fat

30 A cheerful look brings joy to the heart;
    good news makes for good health.

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17 The highway of the upright(A) avoids evil;
the one who guards his way protects his life.(B)

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17 The path of the virtuous leads away from evil;
    whoever follows that path is safe.

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24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb:(A)
sweet to the taste[a] and health to the body.[b](B)

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Footnotes

  1. 16:24 Lit throat
  2. 16:24 Lit bones

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

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22 A joyful heart is good medicine,
but a broken spirit dries up the bones.(A)

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22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength.

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17 Don’t let your heart envy sinners;(A)
instead, always fear the Lord.(B)
18 For then you will have a future,
and your hope will not be dashed.(C)

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17 Don’t envy sinners,
    but always continue to fear the Lord.
18 You will be rewarded for this;
    your hope will not be disappointed.

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