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

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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 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

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

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

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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 assays hearts.

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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

12 Before a man’s downfall, his mind[a] is arrogant,
    but humility precedes honor.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 18:12 Lit. heart

14 A man’s spirit can sustain him during his illness,
    but who can bear a crushed spirit?

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A man’s foolishness ruins his life,[a]
    yet his heart rages against the Lord.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:3 Lit. way

20 Listen to advice and accept discipline,
    and you’ll be wise for the rest of your life.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 19:20 The Heb. lacks of your life

The intentions of a person’s heart are deep waters,
    but a discerning person reveals them.

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27 A person’s spirit is the lamp of the Lord;
    it searches throughout one’s innermost being.

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Thoughts on the Sovereignty of God

21 A king’s heart is a water stream that the Lord controls;
he directs it wherever he pleases.

Every man’s lifestyle is proper in his own view,
    but the Lord weighs the heart.

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11 Whoever loves purity[a] and gracious speech
    will gain the king as his friend.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 22:11 Lit. purity of heart

12 Learn diligently,
    and listen to words of knowledge.

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11 Rescue those who are being led away to death,
    and save those who stumble toward slaughter.
12 If you say, “Look here, we didn’t know about this,”
    doesn’t God,[a] who examines motives,[b] discern it?
Doesn’t the one who guards your soul
    know about it?
Won’t he repay each person
    according to what he has done?

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 24:12 Lit. he
  2. Proverbs 24:12 Lit. examines the heart

17 Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls;
    don’t let yourself be glad when he stumbles.
18 Otherwise the Lord will observe and disapprove,
    and he will turn his anger away from him.

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19 Don’t be anxious about those who practice evil,
    and don’t be envious of the wicked.
20 For the wicked man has no future;
    the lamp of the wicked will be extinguished.

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