12 I, wisdom, share a home with shrewdness
and have knowledge and discretion.(A)
13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil.(B)
I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct,
and perverse speech.
14 I possess good advice and sound wisdom;[a]
I have understanding and strength.(C)
15 It is by me that kings reign(D)
and rulers enact just law;
16 by me, princes lead,
as do nobles and all righteous judges.[b]
17 I love those who love me,(E)
and those who search for me find me.(F)
18 With me are riches and honor,(G)
lasting wealth and righteousness.(H)

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Footnotes

  1. 8:14 Or resourcefulness
  2. 8:16 Some Hb mss, LXX read nobles who judge the earth

12 I, wisdom, live with prudence,
    and I attain knowledge and discretion.(A)
13 The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.
Pride and arrogance and the way of evil
    and perverted speech I hate.(B)
14 I have good advice and sound wisdom;
    I have insight; I have strength.(C)
15 By me kings reign,
    and rulers decree what is just;(D)
16 by me rulers rule,
    and nobles, all who govern rightly.
17 I love those who love me,
    and those who seek me diligently find me.(E)
18 Riches and honor are with me,
    enduring wealth and prosperity.(F)

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20 Those with twisted minds are detestable to the Lord,
but those with blameless conduct are his delight.(A)

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20 Crooked minds are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those of blameless ways are his delight.(A)

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One who is good obtains favor from the Lord,(A)
but he condemns a person who schemes.(B)

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The good obtain favor from the Lord,
    but those who devise evil he condemns.(A)

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22 Lying lips are detestable to the Lord,(A)
but faithful people are his delight.(B)

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22 Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord,
    but those who act faithfully are his delight.(A)

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31 The one who oppresses the poor person insults his Maker,(A)
but one who is kind to the needy honors him.(B)

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31 Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker,
    but those who are kind to the needy honor him.(A)

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The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable to the Lord,(A)
but the prayer of the upright is his delight.(B)

The Lord detests the way of the wicked,
but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.(C)

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The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but the prayer of the upright is his delight.(A)
The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
    but he loves the one who pursues righteousness.(B)

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30 Lashes and wounds purge away evil,(A)
and beatings cleanse the innermost parts.[a]

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Footnotes

  1. 20:30 Lit beatings the chambers of the belly

30 Blows that wound cleanse away evil;
    beatings make clean the innermost parts.

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Doing what is righteous and just
is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(A)

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To do righteousness and justice
    is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.(A)

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21 The one who pursues righteousness and faithful love
will find life, righteousness, and honor.(A)

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21 Whoever pursues righteousness and kindness
    will find life[a] and honor.(A)

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Footnotes

  1. 21.21 Gk: Heb life and righteousness

Humility, the fear of the Lord,
results in wealth, honor, and life.(A)

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The reward for humility and fear of the Lord
    is riches and honor and life.

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