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Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear Yahweh and retreat from evil.
There shall be healing for your flesh,[a]
    and refreshment for your body.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:8 Literally “navel”

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

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”

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

The Right Path

10 Listen, my child, take my sayings,
    and the years of your life shall be great.

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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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Staying the Course

20 My child, be attentive to my words;
    to my sayings incline your ear.
21 May they not escape from your sight;[a]
    keep them in the midst of your heart.
22 For they are life to those who find them
    and healing to the entire body.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:21 Literally “eyes”
  2. Proverbs 4:22 Literally “for all his flesh”

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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11 For by me your days shall increase,
    and years of life shall multiply for you.

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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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27 The fear of Yahweh adds life,
    but the years of the wicked are shortened.

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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

30 A heart[a] of tranquility[b] is life to the flesh,
    but causes bones of passion to rot.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 14:30 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 14:30 Or “he who heals”

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

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30 From the light of the eyes, the heart[a] will rejoice,
    and good news will enliven the bones.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:30 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 15:30 Hebrew “bone”

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

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Footnotes

  1. 15:30 Lit makes fat

17 The highway of the upright, it turns from evil,
    he who guards himself[a] keeps his way.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:17 Or “soul,” or “inner self”

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

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24 Pleasant sayings are a honeycomb,
    sweetness to the soul and healing to the bones.

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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

22 A cheerful heart is good medicine,
    but a downcast spirit will dry out bones.

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

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17 May your heart[a] not envy the sinners,
    but live in fear of Yahweh all day.[b]
18 Surely[c] there is a future,
    and your hope will not be cut off.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 23:17 Or “mind”
  2. Proverbs 23:17 Literally “all the day”
  3. Proverbs 23:18 Literally “For if”

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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