New Revised Standard NRS
Common English Bible CEB
1 My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
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My son, don't forget my instruction. Let your heart guard my commands,
2 for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you.
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because they will help you live a long time and provide you with well-being.
3 Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
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Don't let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Bind them on your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and of people.
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Then you will find favor and approval in the eyes of God and humanity.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
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Trust in the LORD with all your heart; don't rely on your own intelligence.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
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Know him in all your paths, and he will keep your ways straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
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Don't consider yourself wise. Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.
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Then your body will be healthy and your bones strengthened.
9 Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce;
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Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first of all your crops.
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
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Then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will burst with wine.
11 My child, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof,
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Don't reject the instruction of the LORD, my son; don't despise his correction.
12 for the Lord reproves the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
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The LORD loves those he corrects, just like a father who treats his son with favor.
13 Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,
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Happy are those who find wisdom and those who gain understanding.
14 for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold.
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Her profit is better than silver, and her gain better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
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Her value exceeds pearls; all you desire can't compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
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In her right hand is a long life; in her left are wealth and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
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Her ways are pleasant; all her paths are peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.
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She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who hold her tight are happy.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;
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The LORD laid the foundations of the earth with wisdom, establishing the heavens with understanding.
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
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With his knowledge, the watery depths burst open, and the skies drop dew.
21 My child, do not let these escape from your sight: keep sound wisdom and prudence,
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My son, don't let them slip from your eyes; hold on to sound judgment and discretion.
22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
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They will be life for your whole being, and an ornament for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble.
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Then you will walk safely on your path, and your foot won't stumble.
24 If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
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If you lie down, you won't be terrified. When you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the storm that strikes the wicked;
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Don't fear sudden terror or the ruin that comes to the wicked.
26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
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The LORD will be your confidence; he will guard your feet from being snared.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
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Don't withhold good from someone who deserves it, when it is in your power to do so.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"—when you have it with you.
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Don't say to your neighbor, "Go and come back; I'll give it to you tomorrow," when you have it.
29 Do not plan harm against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you.
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Don't plan to harm your neighbor who trusts and lives near you.
30 Do not quarrel with anyone without cause, when no harm has been done to you.
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Don't accuse anyone without reason, when they haven't harmed you.
31 Do not envy the violent and do not choose any of their ways;
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Don't envy violent people or choose any of their ways.
32 for the perverse are an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
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Devious people are detestable to the LORD, but the virtuous are his close friends.
33 The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous.
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The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor.
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He mocks mockers, but he shows favor to the humble.
35 The wise will inherit honor, but stubborn fools, disgrace.
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The wise gain respect, but fools receive shame.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible