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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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Remembering the Counsel of a Wise Father

20 My son, pay attention to my words,
    and listen closely[a] to what I say.
21 Do not let them out of your sight;
    keep them within your heart.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:20 Lit. turn your ear

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

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23 Above everything else[a] guard your heart,
    because from it flow the springs of life.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 4:23 Lit. Above all watching

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

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20 What the righteous person says[a] is like precious silver;
    the thoughts of the wicked are compared to small things.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 10:20 Lit. The tongue of the righteous

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 at home[a] in the heart of those who plan evil,
    but those who promote peace rejoice.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 12:20 The Heb. lacks at home

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

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13 A happy heart enlightens the face,
    but a sad heart reflects a broken spirit.

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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 The entire life[a] of the afflicted seems disastrous,
    but a good heart feasts continuously.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:15 Lit. All the days

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

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30 Bright eyes[a] encourage the heart;
    good news nourishes the body.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 15:30 Or A cheerful look
  2. Proverbs 15:30 Lit. bones

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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Wisdom’s Blessings

16 People do the planning,[a]
but the end result[b] is from the Lord.

Everything a person does seems pure in his own opinion,
    but the Lord weighs intentions.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:1 Lit. Preparations of the heart belong to human beings
  2. Proverbs 16:1 Or the response of the tongue

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

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The Lord detests those who are proud;
    truly they will not go unpunished.

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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 The wise-hearted person is told to be discerning,
    and that pleasant speech promotes instruction.
22 Anyone who has understanding is a fountain of life,
    but foolishness brings punishment to fools.

23 A wise person’s thoughts[a] control his words,
    and his speech promotes instruction.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 16:23 Lit. heart

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

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The crucible is for silver
    and the furnace for gold—
        but the Lord assays hearts.

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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 drains one’s strength.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 17:22 Lit. spirit dries the bones