HelpFinder Bible - Flipbook - Page 931
PR OVER B S 3
page 561
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Then you will find favor with both God
and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own
understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
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— promises —
from God
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which
path to take.
Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the Lord and turn away
from evil.
Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.
P R OV E R B S 3:6
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the best part of everything
you produce.
Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with
good wine.
27
My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
For the Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom
he delights.*
29
Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.
For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.
Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.
She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.
Wisdom is a tree of life to those who
embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.
By wisdom the Lord founded the earth;
by understanding he created the heavens.
By his knowledge the deep fountains of
the earth burst forth,
and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
My child, don’t lose sight of common sense
and discernment.
Hang on to them,
for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.
They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.
You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.
You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon
the wicked,
3:12 Greek version reads loves, / and he punishes those he
accepts as his children. Compare Heb 12:6. 3:34 Greek
version reads The Lord opposes the proud / but gives grace
to the humble. Compare Jas 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5.
for the Lord is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught
in a trap.
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Do not withhold good from those who
deserve it
when it’s in your power to help them.
If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll
help you.”
Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.
Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.
Don’t envy violent people
or copy their ways.
Such wicked people are detestable
to the Lord,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.
33
The Lord curses the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the upright.
34
The Lord mocks the mockers
but is gracious to the humble.*
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The wise inherit honor,
but fools are put to shame!
• Bible
PR OV E R B S 2:1-6
Most of us want spiritual understanding.
But we aren’t willing to pursue it any
further than listening to a few sermons
or rushing through ten minutes of Bible
reading. Often our failure to understand
God’s Word is due to our unwillingness
to invest time and energy in persistent,
serious Bible study. If you really want to
understand Scripture, consider following
a focused and systematic plan of study.
And make a commitment to apply to
your daily life whatever truth you learn.
When God sees that we are serious about
pursuing truth and wisdom, he opens
our minds to understand some of the
magnificent mysteries of life with him.