Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 My child, don't forget what I teach you. Always remember what I tell you to do.
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My son, don't forget my teaching; But let your heart keep my commandments:
2 My teaching will give you a long and prosperous life.
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For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to you.
3 Never let go of loyalty and faithfulness. Tie them around your neck; write them on your heart.
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Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 If you do this, both God and people will be pleased with you.
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So you will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.
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Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don't lean on your own understanding.
6 Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.
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In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths.
7 Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong.
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Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
8 If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains.
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It will be health to your body, And nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord by making him an offering from the best of all that your land produces.
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Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of all your increase:
10 If you do, your barns will be filled with grain, and you will have too much wine to store it all.
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So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My child, when the Lord corrects you, pay close attention and take it as a warning.
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My son, don't despise Yahweh's discipline, Neither be weary of his reproof:
12 The Lord corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud.
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For whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; Even as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Happy is anyone who becomes wise - who comes to have understanding.
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Happy is the man who finds wisdom, The man who gets understanding.
14 There is more profit in it than there is in silver; it is worth more to you than gold.
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For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, The profit of it better than fine gold.
15 Wisdom is more valuable than jewels; nothing you could want can compare with it.
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She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.
16 Wisdom offers you long life, as well as wealth and honor.
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Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it.
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Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
18 Those who become wise are happy; wisdom will give them life.
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She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
19 The Lord created the earth by his wisdom; by his knowledge he set the sky in place.
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By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.
20 His wisdom caused the rivers to flow and the clouds to give rain to the earth.
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By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew.
21 My child, hold on to your wisdom and insight. Never let them get away from you.
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My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 They will provide you with life - a pleasant and happy life.
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So they will be life to your soul, And grace for your neck.
23 You can go safely on your way and never even stumble.
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Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble.
24 You will not be afraid when you go to bed, and you will sleep soundly through the night.
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When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
25 You will not have to worry about sudden disasters, such as come on the wicked like a storm.
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Don't be afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:
26 The Lord will keep you safe. He will not let you fall into a trap.
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For Yahweh will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being taken.
27 Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it.
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Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do it.
28 Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.
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Don't say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, Tomorrow I will give," When you have it by you.
29 Don't plan anything that will hurt your neighbors; they live beside you, trusting you.
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Don't devise evil against your neighbor, Seeing he dwells securely by you.
30 Don't argue with others for no reason when they have never done you any harm.
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Don't strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.
31 Don't be jealous of violent people or decide to act as they do,
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Don't envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.
32 because the Lord hates people who do evil, but he takes righteous people into his confidence.
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For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, But his friendship is with the upright.
33 The Lord puts a curse on the homes of the wicked, but blesses the homes of the righteous.
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The curse of Yahweh is in the house of the wicked, But he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
34 He has no use for conceited people, but shows favor to those who are humble.
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Surely he mocks the mockers, But he gives grace to the humble.
35 Wise people will gain an honorable reputation, but stupid people will only add to their own disgrace.
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The wise will inherit glory, But shame will be the promotion of fools.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.
The World English Bible is in the public domain.