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Don’t be envious of evil men; neither desire to be with them:
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for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about mischief.
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Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;
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by knowledge the rooms are filled with all rare and beautiful treasure.
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A wise man has great power; and a knowledgeable man increases strength;
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for by wise guidance you wage your war; and victory is in many advisors.
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Wisdom is too high for a fool: he doesn’t open his mouth in the gate.
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One who plots to do evil will be called a schemer.
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The schemes of folly are sin. The mocker is detested by men.
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If you falter in the time of trouble, your strength is small.
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Rescue those who are being led away to death! Indeed, hold back those who are staggering to the slaughter!
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If you say, “Behold, we didn’t know this”; doesn’t he who weighs the hearts consider it? He who keeps your soul, doesn’t he know it? Shall he not render to every man according to his work?
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My son, eat honey, for it is good; the droppings of the honeycomb, which are sweet to your taste:
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so you shall know wisdom to be to your soul; if you have found it, then there will be a reward, your hope will not be cut off.
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Don’t lay in wait, wicked man, against the habitation of the righteous. Don’t destroy his resting place:
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for a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again; but the wicked are overthrown by calamity.
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Don’t rejoice when your enemy falls. Don’t let your heart be glad when he is overthrown;
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lest Yahweh see it, and it displease him, and he turn away his wrath from him.
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Don’t fret yourself because of evildoers; neither be envious of the wicked:
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for there will be no reward to the evil man; and the lamp of the wicked shall be snuffed out.
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My son, fear Yahweh and the king. Don’t join those who are rebellious:
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for their calamity will rise suddenly; the destruction from them both—who knows?
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These also are sayings of the wise. To show partiality in judgment is not good.
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He who says to the wicked, “You are righteous”; peoples will curse him, and nations will abhor him—
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but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and a rich blessing will come on them.
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An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.
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Prepare your work outside, and get your fields ready. Afterwards, build your house.
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Don’t be a witness against your neighbor without cause. Don’t deceive with your lips.
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Don’t say, “I will do to him as he has done to me; I will render to the man according to his work.”
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I went by the field of the sluggard, by the vineyard of the man void of understanding;
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Behold, it was all grown over with thorns. Its surface was covered with nettles, and its stone wall was broken down.
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Then I saw, and considered well. I saw, and received instruction:
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a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep;
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so your poverty will come as a robber, and your want as an armed man.