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The Rewards of Wisdom

¹ My son, ^(C1)do not forget my ^(F1)teaching,
But let your heart ^(C2)keep my commandments;

² For ^(C1)length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.

³ Do not let ^(C1)kindness and truth leave you;
^(C2)Bind them around your neck,
^(C3)Write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ So you will ^(C1)find favor and ^(C2)good ^(F1)repute
In the sight of God and man.

^5 (C1)Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And ^(C2)do not lean on your own understanding.

⁶ In all your ways ^(C1)acknowledge Him,
And He will ^(C2)make your paths straight.

^7 (C1)Do not be wise in your own eyes;
^(C2)Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

⁸ It will be ^(C1)healing to your ^(F1)body
And ^(C2)refreshment to your bones.

^9 (C1)Honor the LORD from your wealth
And from the ^(C2)first of all your produce;

¹⁰ So your ^(C1)barns will be filled with plenty
And your ^(C2)vats will overflow with new wine.

^11 (C1)My son, do not reject the ^(F1)discipline of the LORD
Or loathe His reproof,

¹² For ^(C1)whom the LORD loves He reproves,
Even ^(C2)as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

^13 (C1)How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who gains understanding.

¹⁴ For her ^(C1)profit is better than the profit of silver
And her gain better than fine gold.

¹⁵ She is ^(C1)more precious than ^(F1)jewels;
And nothing you desire compares with her.

^16 (F1)(C1)Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are ^(C2)riches and honor.

¹⁷ Her ^(C1)ways are pleasant ways
And all her paths are ^(C2)peace.

¹⁸ She is a ^(C1)tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who hold her fast.

¹⁹ The LORD ^(C1)by wisdom founded the earth,
By understanding He ^(C2)established the heavens.

²⁰ By His knowledge the ^(C1)deeps were broken up
And the ^(C2)skies drip with dew.

²¹ My son, ^(C1)let them not ^(F1)vanish from your sight;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

²² So they will be ^(C1)life to your soul
And ^(C2)adornment to your neck.

²³ Then you will ^(C1)walk in your way securely
And your foot will not ^(C2)stumble.

²⁴ When you ^(C1)lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

^25 (C1)Do not be afraid of sudden fear
Nor of the ^(F1)(C2)onslaught of the wicked when it comes;

²⁶ For the LORD will be ^(F1)your confidence
And will ^(C1)keep your foot from being caught.

^27 (C1)Do not withhold good from ^(F1)those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.

^28 (C1)Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,"
When you have it with you.

^29 (C1)Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.

^30 (C1)Do not contend with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.

^31 (C1)Do not envy a man of violence
And do not choose any of his ways.

³² For the ^(C1)devious are an abomination to the LORD;
But ^(F1)He is ^(C2)intimate with the upright.

³³ The ^(C1)curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He ^(C2)blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

³⁴ Though ^(C1)He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet ^(C2)He gives grace to the afflicted.

^35 (C1)The wise will inherit honor,
But fools ^(F1)display dishonor.