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20 My child, be attentive to my words;
    incline your ear to my sayings.
21 Do not let them escape from your sight;
    keep them within your heart.(A)

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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.

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23 Keep your heart with all vigilance,
    for from it flow the springs of life.(A)

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23 Guard your heart above all else,[a]
for it is the source of life.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:23 Or heart with all diligence

20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver;
    the mind of the wicked is of little worth.(A)

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20 The tongue of the righteous is pure silver;
the heart of the wicked is of little value.(A)

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20 Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil,
    but those who counsel peace have joy.(A)

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20 Deceit is in the hearts of those who plot evil,
but those who promote peace have joy.(A)

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13 A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance,
    but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken.(A)

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13 A joyful heart makes a face cheerful,
but a sad heart produces a broken spirit.(A)

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15 All the days of the poor are hard,
    but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

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15 All the days of the oppressed are miserable,
but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

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30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
    and good news refreshes the body.

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

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:30 Lit makes fat

16 The plans of the mind belong to mortals,
    but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.
All one’s ways may be pure in one’s own eyes,
    but the Lord weighs the spirit.(A)

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16 The reflections of the heart belong to man,
but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.(A)

All a man’s ways seem right to him,
but the Lord evaluates the motives.[a](B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:2 Lit weighs spirits

All those who are arrogant are an abomination to the Lord;
    be assured, they will not go unpunished.(A)

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Everyone with a proud heart is detestable to the Lord;(A)
be assured,[a] he will not go unpunished.(B)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:5 Lit hand to hand

21 The wise of heart is called perceptive,
    and pleasant speech increases persuasiveness.
22 Wisdom is a fountain of life to one who has it,
    but folly is the punishment of fools.(A)
23 The mind of the wise makes their speech judicious
    and adds persuasiveness to their lips.

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21 Anyone with a wise heart is called discerning,
and pleasant speech[a] increases learning.(A)

22 Insight is a fountain of life(B) for its possessor,
but the discipline of fools is folly.

23 A wise heart instructs its mouth
and increases learning with its speech.[b](C)

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:21 Lit and sweetness of lips
  2. Proverbs 16:23 Lit learning upon his lips

The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold,
    but the Lord tests the heart.(A)

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A crucible for silver, and a smelter for gold,(A)
and the Lord is the tester of hearts.(B)

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

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

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