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1.
My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
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2.
for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
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3.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
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4.
Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
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5.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
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6.
in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
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7.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
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8.
This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
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9.
Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
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10.
then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
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11.
My son, do not despise the LORD'S discipline and do not resent his rebuke,
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12.
because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
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13.
Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
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14.
for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
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15.
She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
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16.
Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
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17.
Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
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18.
She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
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19.
By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;
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20.
by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
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21.
My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;
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22.
they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
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23.
Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble;
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24.
when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
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25.
Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
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26.
for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
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27.
Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
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28.
Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"--when you now have it with you.
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29.
Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
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30.
Do not accuse a man for no reason--when he has done you no harm.
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31.
Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways,
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32.
for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.
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33.
The LORD'S curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
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34.
He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
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35.
The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.
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