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Prologue: Exhortations to Embrace Wisdom
Warning Against the Invitation of Sinful Men
Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
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My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.
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But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand,
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since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke,
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since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the Lord.
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Since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke,
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The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast.
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So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion— and give your neighbor no rest!
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The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.
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Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.
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If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
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Evildoers are trapped by their sinful talk, and so the innocent escape trouble.
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Righteousness guards the person of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner.
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Trouble pursues the sinner, but the righteous are rewarded with good things.
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A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children, but a sinner’s wealth is stored up for the righteous.
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Fools mock at making amends for sin, but goodwill is found among the upright.
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It is a sin to despise one’s neighbor, but blessed is the one who is kind to the needy.
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Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin condemns any people.
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Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the Lord evil is avoided.
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Whoever loves a quarrel loves sin; whoever builds a high gate invites destruction.
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Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure; I am clean and without sin”?
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Haughty eyes and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.
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Saying 15
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.
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The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker.
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Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on a wound, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
