Wisdom And Piety

1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

1 My son, (A)do not forget my (a)teaching,But let your heart (B)keep my commandments;

1 My son, don’t forget my teaching,but let your heart keep my commands;(A)

1 My son, don't forget my instruction, and keep my commandments carefully in mind.

1 My son, do not forget my (a)teaching,But let your heart keep my commandments;

2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

2 For (C)length of days and years of lifeAnd peace they will add to you.

2 for they will bring youmany days, a full life,(a)(B) and well-being.(C)

2 For they will add length to your days, years to your life, and abundant peace to you.

2 For length of days and years of life [worth living]And tranquility and prosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings] they will add to you.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

3 Do not let (D)kindness and truth leave you;(E)Bind them around your neck,(F)Write them on the tablet of your heart.

3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.Tie them around your neck;write them on the tablet of your heart.(D)

3 Do not let gracious love and truth leave you. Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart,

3 Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you];Bind them [securely] around your neck,Write them on the tablet of your heart.(A)

4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

4 So you will (G)find favor and (H)good (b)reputeIn the sight of God and man.

4 Then you will find favor and high regardin the sight of God and man.(E)

4 and find favor and a good reputation with God and men.

4 So find favor and high esteemIn the sight of God and man.(B)

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

5 (I)Trust in the Lord with all your heartAnd (J)do not lean on your own understanding.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,(F)and do not rely on your own understanding;(G)

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding.

5 Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heartAnd do not rely on your own insight or understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

6 In all your ways (K)acknowledge Him,And He will (L)make your paths straight.

6 think about Him in all your ways,and He will guide you on the right paths.(b)(H)

6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

6 (b)In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him,And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

7 (M)Do not be wise in your own eyes;(N)Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

7 Don’t consider yourself to be wise;(I)fear the Lord and turn away from evil.(J)

7 Do not be wise in your own opinion. Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil.(C)

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

8 It will be (O)healing to your (c)bodyAnd (P)refreshment to your bones.

8 This will be healing for your body(c)(K)and strengthening for your bones.(L)

8 This will bring healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.

8 It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts]And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.

9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

9 (Q)Honor the Lord from your wealthAnd from the (R)first of all your produce;

9 Honor the Lord with your possessionsand with the first produce of your entire harvest;(M)

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first of all your produce,

9 Honor the Lord with your wealthAnd with the first fruits of all your crops (income);(D)

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

10 So your (S)barns will be filled with plentyAnd your (T)vats will overflow with new wine.

10 then your barns will be completely filled,and your vats will overflow with new wine.(N)

10 so your barns will be filled with abundance, and your vats will burst open with new wine.

10 Then your barns will be abundantly filledAnd your vats will overflow with new wine.(E)

Happy Is The One Who Finds Wisdom

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

11 (U)My son, do not reject the (d)discipline of the LordOr loathe His reproof,

11 Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,and do not loathe His discipline;(O)

11 My son, do not reject the LORD's discipline, and do not despise his correction,

11 My son, do not reject or take lightly the discipline of the Lord [learn from your mistakes and the testing that comes from His correction through discipline];Nor despise His rebuke,(F)

12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

12 For (V)whom the Lord loves He reproves,Even (W)as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

12 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves,just as a father, the son he delights in.(P)

12 because the LORD corrects the person he loves, just as a father corrects the son he delights in.

12 For those whom the Lord loves He corrects,Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Wisdom Brings Happiness

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

13 (X)How blessed is the man who finds wisdomAnd the man who gains understanding.

13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom(Q)and who acquires understanding,

13 How joyful is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding,

13 Happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is the man who finds [skillful and godly] wisdom,And the man who gains understanding and insight [learning from God’s word and life’s experiences],

14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

14 For her (Y)profit is better than the profit of silverAnd her gain better than fine gold.

14 for she is more profitable than silver,and her revenue is better than gold.(R)

14 because her profit is better than the profit of silver, and her yield than fine gold.

14 For wisdom’s profit is better than the profit of silver,And her gain is better than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

15 She is (Z)more precious than (e)jewels;And nothing you desire compares with her.

15 She is more precious than jewels;(S)nothing you desire compares with her.(T)

15 She is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

15 She is more precious than rubies;And nothing you can wish for compares with her [in value].(G)

16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

16 (f)(AA)Long life is in her right hand;In her left hand are (AB)riches and honor.

16 Long life(d) is in her right hand;in her left, riches and honor.(U)

16 Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are riches and honor.

16 Long life is in her right hand;In her left hand are riches and honor.(H)

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

17 Her (AC)ways are pleasant waysAnd all her paths are (AD)peace.

17 Her ways are pleasant,(V)and all her paths, peaceful.

17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceful.

17 Her ways are highways of pleasantness and favor,And all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

18 She is a (AE)tree of life to those who take hold of her,And happy are all who hold her fast.

18 She is a tree of life(W) to those who embrace her,and those who hold on to her are happy.

18 She is a tree of life for those who embrace her, and whoever clutches her tightly will be joyful.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.

Role Of Wisdom In Creation And Society

19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

19 The Lord (AF)by wisdom founded the earth,By understanding He (AG)established the heavens.

19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom(X)and established the heavens by understanding.

19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, and by understanding he set the heavens in place.

19 The Lord by His wisdom has founded the earth;By His understanding He has established the heavens.(I)

20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

20 By His knowledge the (AH)deeps were broken upAnd the (AI)skies drip with dew.

20 By His knowledge the watery depths broke open,(Y)and the clouds dripped with dew.(Z)

20 By his knowledge the depths broke open, and the clouds drip with dew.

20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken upAnd the clouds drip with dew.

21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

21 My son, (AJ)let them not (g)vanish from your sight;Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

21 Maintain your competence and discretion.My son, don’t lose sight of them.(AA)

21 My son, do not let wisdom leave your sight. Carefully observe sound judgment and discernment,

21 My son, let them not escape from your sight,But keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

22 So they will be (AK)life to your soulAnd (AL)adornment to your neck.

22 They will be life for you(e)(f)(AB)and adornment(g) for your neck.

22 and they will be life to you and a graceful ornament for your neck.

22 And they will be life to your soul (your inner self)And a gracious adornment to your neck (your outer self).

23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

23 Then you will (AM)walk in your way securelyAnd your foot will not (AN)stumble.

23 Then you will go safely on your way;your foot will not stumble.(AC)

23 Then you will travel safely on your way, and your foot will not stumble.

23 Then you will walk on your way [of life] securelyAnd your foot will not stumble.(J)

24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

24 When you (AO)lie down, you will not be afraid;When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

24 When you lie(h) down, you will not be afraid;(AD)you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

24 When you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

25 (AP)Do not be afraid of sudden fearNor of the (h)(AQ)onslaught of the wicked when it comes;

25 Don’t fear sudden dangeror the ruin of the wicked when it comes,(AE)

25 Do not be afraid of sudden disaster, or the devastation that comes to the wicked.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden fearNor of the storm of the wicked when it comes [since you will be blameless];

26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

26 For the Lord will be (i)your confidenceAnd will (AR)keep your foot from being caught.

26 for the Lord will be your confidence(i)and will keep your foot from a snare.(AF)

26 Indeed, the LORD will be your confidence, and he will keep your foot from being caught.

26 For the Lord will be your confidence, firm and strong,And will keep your foot from being caught [in a trap].

Treat Others Fairly

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

27 (AS)Do not withhold good from (j)those to whom it is due,When it is in your power to do it.

27 When it is in your power,(j)don’t withhold good(AG) from the one it belongs to.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.

27 (c)Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due [its rightful recipients],When it is in your power to do it.(K)

28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

28 (AT)Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,And tomorrow I will give it,”When you have it with you.

28 Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later.I’ll give it tomorrow”—when it is there with you.(AH)

28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back. I will pay you tomorrow," when you have cash with you.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,And tomorrow I will give it,”When you have it with you.(L)

29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

29 (AU)Do not devise harm against your neighbor,While he lives securely beside you.

29 Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor,(AI)for he trusts you and lives near you.

29 Do not plan to harm your neighbor, when he is living peacefully beside you.

29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor,Who lives securely beside you.

30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

30 (AV)Do not contend with a man without cause,If he has done you no harm.

30 Don’t accuse anyone without cause,(AJ)when he has done you no harm.

30 Do not bring a lawsuit against a person for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

30 Do not quarrel with a man without cause,If he has done you no harm.(M)

31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

31 (AW)Do not envy a man of violenceAnd do not choose any of his ways.

31 Don’t envy a violent man(AK)or choose any of his ways;

31 Do not envy a violent man, and do not emulate his lifestyle.

31 Do not envy a man of violenceAnd do not choose any of his ways.(N)

32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

32 For the (AX)devious are an abomination to the Lord;But (k)He is (AY)intimate with the upright.

32 for the devious are detestable to the Lord,but He is a friend(k) to the upright.(AL)

32 Indeed, a perverse man is utterly disgusting to the LORD, but he takes the upright into his confidence.

32 For the devious are repulsive to the Lord;But His private counsel is with the upright [those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].(O)

33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

33 The (AZ)curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,But He (BA)blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

33 The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked,(AM)but He blesses the home of the righteous;

33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,But He blesses the home of the just and righteous.(P)

34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

34 Though (BB)He scoffs at the scoffers,Yet (BC)He gives grace to the afflicted.

34 He mocks those who mock,but gives grace to the humble.(AN)

34 Though God scoffs at scoffers, he gives grace to the humble.

34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers and scorns the scorners,Yet He gives His grace [His undeserved favor] to the humble [those who give up self-importance].(Q)

35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

35 (BD)The wise will inherit honor,But fools (l)display dishonor.

35 The wise will inherit honor,but He holds up fools to dishonor.(l)

35 The wise will inherit honor, but he holds fools up for ridicule.

35 The wise will inherit honor and glory,But dishonor and shame is conferred on fools.(R)

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