72 lines
3.0 KiB
Markdown
72 lines
3.0 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 3
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1 My child, never forget the things I have taught you.
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Store my commands in your heart.
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2 If you do this, you will live many years,
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and your life will be satisfying.
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3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
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Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
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Write them deep within your heart.
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4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
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and you will earn a good reputation.
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5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
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do not depend on your own understanding.
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6 Seek his will in all you do,
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and he will show you which path to take.
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7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
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Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
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8 Then you will have healing for your body
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and strength for your bones.
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9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
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and with the best part of everything you produce.
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10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
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and your vats will overflow with good wine.
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11 My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
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and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
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12 For the Lord corrects those he loves,
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just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
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13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
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the one who gains understanding.
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14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
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and her wages are better than gold.
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15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
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nothing you desire can compare with her.
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16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
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and riches and honor in her left.
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17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
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all her ways are satisfying.
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18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
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happy are those who hold her tightly.
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19 By wisdom the Lord founded the earth;
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by understanding he created the heavens.
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20 By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
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and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
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21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
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Hang on to them,
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22 for they will refresh your soul.
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They are like jewels on a necklace.
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23 They keep you safe on your way,
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and your feet will not stumble.
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24 You can go to bed without fear;
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you will lie down and sleep soundly.
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25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
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or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
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26 for the Lord is your security.
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He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
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27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
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when it’s in your power to help them.
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28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
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“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
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29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
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for those who live nearby trust you.
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30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,
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when no one has done you harm.
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31 Don’t envy violent people
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or copy their ways.
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32 Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
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but he offers his friendship to the godly.
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33 The Lord curses the house of the wicked,
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but he blesses the home of the upright.
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34 The Lord mocks the mockers
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but is gracious to the humble.
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35 The wise inherit honor,
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but fools are put to shame! |