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Passage Lookup: Proverbs 21-23

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OT Text: ALE BHS MAS WLC RAH |
NT Texts: NA26 WH PES

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Proverbs 21:1

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In the Lord 's hand the king's heart is a stream of water that he channels toward all who please him.^(a)

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Proverbs 21:2

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A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart.^(b)

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Proverbs 21:3

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To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice.^(c)

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Proverbs 21:4

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Haughty eyes^(d) and a proud heart— the unplowed field of the wicked—produce sin.

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Proverbs 21:5

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The plans of the diligent lead to profit^(e) as surely as haste leads to poverty.

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Proverbs 21:6

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A fortune made by a lying tongue is a fleeting vapor and a deadly snare.^[a]^(f)

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Proverbs 21:7

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The violence of the wicked will drag them away,^(g) for they refuse to do what is right.

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Proverbs 21:8

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The way of the guilty is devious,^(h) but the conduct of the innocent is upright.

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Proverbs 21:9

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Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife.⁽ⁱ⁾

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Proverbs 21:10

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The wicked crave evil; their neighbors get no mercy from them.

Proverbs 21:11

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When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.^(j)

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Proverbs 21:12

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The Righteous One^[b] takes note of the house of the wicked and brings the wicked to ruin.^(k)

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Proverbs 21:13

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Whoever shuts their ears to the cry of the poor will also cry out^(l) and not be answered.^(m)

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Proverbs 21:14

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A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak pacifies great wrath.⁽ⁿ⁾

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Proverbs 21:15

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When justice is done, it brings joy to the righteous but terror to evildoers.^(o)

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Proverbs 21:16

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Whoever strays from the path of prudence comes to rest in the company of the dead.^(p)

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Proverbs 21:17

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Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.^(q)

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Proverbs 21:18

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The wicked become a ransom^(r) for the righteous, and the unfaithful for the upright.

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Proverbs 21:19

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Better to live in a desert than with a quarrelsome and nagging wife.^(s)

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Proverbs 21:20

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The wise store up choice food and olive oil, but fools gulp theirs down.

Proverbs 21:21

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Whoever pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity^[c]^(t) and honor.^(u)

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Proverbs 21:22

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One who is wise can go up against the city of the mighty^(v) and pull down the stronghold in which they trust.

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Proverbs 21:23

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Those who guard their mouths^(w) and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.^(x)

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Proverbs 21:24

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The proud and arrogant person^(y)—"Mocker" is his name— behaves with insolent fury.

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Proverbs 21:25

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The craving of a sluggard will be the death of him,^(z) because his hands refuse to work.

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Proverbs 21:26

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All day long he craves for more, but the righteous^(aa) give without sparing.^(ab)

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Proverbs 21:27

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The sacrifice of the wicked is detestable^(ac)— how much more so when brought with evil intent!^(ad)

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Proverbs 21:28

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A false witness^(ae) will perish,^(af) but a careful listener will testify successfully.

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Proverbs 21:29

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The wicked put up a bold front, but the upright give thought to their ways.^(ag)

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Proverbs 21:30

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There is no wisdom,^(ah) no insight, no plan that can succeed against the Lord .^(ai)

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Proverbs 21:31

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The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the Lord .^(aj)

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Proverbs 22:1

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A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.^(a)

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Proverbs 22:2

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Rich and poor have this in common: The Lord is the Maker of them all.^(b)

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Proverbs 22:3

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The prudent see danger and take refuge,^(c) but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.^(d)

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Proverbs 22:4

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Humility is the fear of the Lord ; its wages are riches and honor^(e) and life.^(f)

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Proverbs 22:5

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In the paths of the wicked are snares and pitfalls,^(g) but those who would preserve their life stay far from them.

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Proverbs 22:6

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Start^(h) children off on the way they should go,⁽ⁱ⁾ and even when they are old they will not turn from it.^(j)

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Proverbs 22:7

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The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender.

Proverbs 22:8

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Whoever sows injustice reaps calamity,^(k) and the rod they wield in fury will be broken.^(l)

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Proverbs 22:9

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The generous will themselves be blessed,^(m) for they share their food with the poor.⁽ⁿ⁾

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Proverbs 22:10

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Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.^(o)

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Proverbs 22:11

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One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace will have the king for a friend.^(p)

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Proverbs 22:12

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The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful.

Proverbs 22:13

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The sluggard says, "There's a lion outside!^(q) I'll be killed in the public square!"

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Proverbs 22:14

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The mouth of an adulterous woman is a deep pit;^(r) a man who is under the Lord 's wrath falls into it.^(s)

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Proverbs 22:15

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Folly is bound up in the heart of a child, but the rod of discipline will drive it far away.^(t)

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Proverbs 22:16

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One who oppresses the poor to increase his wealth and one who gives gifts to the rich—both come to poverty.

Proverbs 22:17

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Thirty Sayings of the Wise

Saying 1

Pay attention^(u) and turn your ear to the sayings of the wise;^(v) apply your heart to what I teach,^(w)

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Proverbs 22:18

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for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips.

Proverbs 22:19

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So that your trust may be in the Lord , I teach you today, even you.

Proverbs 22:20

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Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge,

Proverbs 22:21

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teaching you to be honest and to speak the truth,^(x) so that you bring back truthful reports to those you serve?

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Proverbs 22:22

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Saying 2

Do not exploit the poor^(y) because they are poor and do not crush the needy in court,^(z)

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Proverbs 22:23

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for the Lord will take up their case^(aa) and will exact life for life.^(ab)

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Proverbs 22:24

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Saying 3

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered,

Proverbs 22:25

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or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.^(ac)

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Proverbs 22:26

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Saying 4

Do not be one who shakes hands in pledge^(ad) or puts up security for debts;

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Proverbs 22:27

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if you lack the means to pay, your very bed will be snatched from under you.^(ae)

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Proverbs 22:28

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Saying 5

Do not move an ancient boundary stone^(af) set up by your ancestors.

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Proverbs 22:29

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Saying 6

Do you see someone skilled^(ag) in their work? They will serve^(ah) before kings;^(ai) they will not serve before officials of low rank.

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Proverbs 23:1

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Saying 7

When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what^[a] is before you,

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Proverbs 23:2

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and put a knife to your throat if you are given to gluttony.

Proverbs 23:3

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Do not crave his delicacies,^(a) for that food is deceptive.

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Proverbs 23:4

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Saying 8

Do not wear yourself out to get rich; do not trust your own cleverness.

Proverbs 23:5

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Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,^(b) for they will surely sprout wings and fly off to the sky like an eagle.^(c)

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Proverbs 23:6

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Saying 9

Do not eat the food of a begrudging host, do not crave his delicacies;^(d)

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Proverbs 23:7

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for he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost.^[b] "Eat and drink," he says to you, but his heart is not with you.

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Proverbs 23:8

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You will vomit up the little you have eaten and will have wasted your compliments.

Proverbs 23:9

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Saying 10

Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.^(e)

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Proverbs 23:10

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Saying 11

Do not move an ancient boundary stone^(f) or encroach on the fields of the fatherless,

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Proverbs 23:11

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for their Defender^(g) is strong;^(h) he will take up their case against you.⁽ⁱ⁾

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Proverbs 23:12

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Saying 12

Apply your heart to instruction^(j) and your ears to words of knowledge.

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Proverbs 23:13

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Saying 13

Do not withhold discipline from a child; if you punish them with the rod, they will not die.

Proverbs 23:14

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Punish them with the rod and save them from death.^(k)

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Proverbs 23:15

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Saying 14

My son, if your heart is wise, then my heart will be glad indeed;

Proverbs 23:16

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my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.^(l)

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Proverbs 23:17

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Saying 15

Do not let your heart envy^(m) sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord .

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Proverbs 23:18

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There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.⁽ⁿ⁾

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Proverbs 23:19

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Saying 16

Listen, my son,^(o) and be wise, and set your heart on the right path:

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Proverbs 23:20

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Do not join those who drink too much wine^(p) or gorge themselves on meat,

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Proverbs 23:21

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for drunkards and gluttons become poor,^(q) and drowsiness clothes them in rags.

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Proverbs 23:22

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Saying 17

Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old.^(r)

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Proverbs 23:23

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Buy the truth and do not sell it— wisdom, instruction and insight as well.^(s)

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Proverbs 23:24

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The father of a righteous child has great joy; a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.^(t)

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Proverbs 23:25

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May your father and mother rejoice; may she who gave you birth be joyful!^(u)

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Proverbs 23:26

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Saying 18

My son,^(v) give me your heart and let your eyes delight in my ways,^(w)

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Proverbs 23:27

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for an adulterous woman is a deep pit,^(x) and a wayward wife is a narrow well.

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Proverbs 23:28

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Like a bandit she lies in wait^(y) and multiplies the unfaithful among men.

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Proverbs 23:29

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Saying 19

Who has woe? Who has sorrow? Who has strife? Who has complaints? Who has needless bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?

Proverbs 23:30

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Those who linger over wine,^(z) who go to sample bowls of mixed wine.

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Proverbs 23:31

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Do not gaze at wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it goes down smoothly!

Proverbs 23:32

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In the end it bites like a snake and poisons like a viper.

Proverbs 23:33

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Your eyes will see strange sights, and your mind will imagine confusing things.

Proverbs 23:34

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You will be like one sleeping on the high seas, lying on top of the rigging.

Proverbs 23:35

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"They hit me," you will say, "but I'm not hurt! They beat me, but I don't feel it! When will I wake up so I can find another drink?"^(aa)

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