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y My son, do not forget my teaching,
z but let your heart keep my commandments,
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for a length of days and years of life
and b peace they will add to you.
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Let not c steadfast love and d faithfulness forsake you;
e bind them around your neck;
f write them on the tablet of your heart.
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So you will g find favor and h good success 1
in the sight of God and man.
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i Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and j do not lean on your own understanding.
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In all your ways k acknowledge him,
and he l will make straight your paths.
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m Be not wise in your own eyes;
n fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
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It will be o healing to your flesh 2
and p refreshment 3 to your bones.
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Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with q the firstfruits of all your produce;
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then your r barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
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s My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
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for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as t a father the son in whom he delights.
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u Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
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v for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than w gold.
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She is more precious than x jewels,
and y nothing you desire can compare with her.
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z Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are a riches and honor.
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Her b ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
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She is c a tree of life to those who d lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.
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e The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding e he established the heavens;
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by his knowledge f the deeps broke open,
and g the clouds drop down the dew.
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My son, h do not lose sight of these -
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
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and they will be i life for your soul
and j adornment for your neck.
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k Then you will walk on your way securely,
l and your foot will not stumble.
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m If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, n your sleep will be sweet.
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o Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of p the ruin 4 of the wicked, when it comes,
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for the Lord will be your confidence
and will q keep your foot from being caught.
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r Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, 5
when it is in your power to do it.
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s 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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t Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who u dwells trustingly beside you.
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v Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.
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w Do not envy x a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
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for y the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are z in his confidence.
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a The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he b blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
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Toward the c scorners he d is scornful,
e but to the humble he gives favor. 6
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The wise will inherit honor,
but fools get 7 disgrace.