New Living Translation NLT
The Message Bible MSG
1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.
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Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands.
2 If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.
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They'll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well.
3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.
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Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart.
4 Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
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Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
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Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own.
6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
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Listen for God's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track.
7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
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Don't assume that you know it all. Run to God! Run from evil!
8 Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
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Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life!
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.
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Honor God with everything you own; give him the first and the best.
10 Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.
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Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over.
11 My child, don’t reject the LORD ’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
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But don't, dear friend, resent God's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction.
12 For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
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It's the child he loves that God corrects; a father's delight is behind all this. The Very Tree of Life
13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.
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You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight.
14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.
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She's worth far more than money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
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Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her.
16 She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.
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With one hand she gives long life, with the other she confers recognition.
17 She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.
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Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.
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She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her. Hold her tight - and be blessed!
19 By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens.
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With Lady Wisdom, God formed Earth; with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven.
20 By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
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They knew when to signal rivers and springs to the surface, and dew to descend from the night skies. Never Walk Away
21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them,
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Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them.
22 for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace.
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They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive.
23 They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble.
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You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip.
24 You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.
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You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep.
25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
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No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner,
26 for the LORD is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
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Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound.
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
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Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is God's hand for that person.
28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
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Don't tell your neighbor, "Maybe some other time," or, "Try me tomorrow," when the money's right there in your pocket.
29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you.
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Don't figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor when he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting.
30 Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm.
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Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder, always spoiling for a fight.
31 Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways.
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Don't try to be like those who shoulder their way through life. Why be a bully?
32 Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD, but he offers his friendship to the godly.
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"Why not?" you say. Because God can't stand twisted souls. It's the straightforward who get his respect.
33 The LORD curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.
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God's curse blights the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 The LORD mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.
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He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder, but if you're down on your luck, he's right there to help.
35 The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!
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Wise living gets rewarded with honor; stupid living gets the booby prize.