Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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1 and do not
be an enemy when you should
be a friend. A bad reputation brings
you the disgrace that lying sinners
deserve.
2 Do not let your passions
carry you away; this can tear your
soul to pieces like a bull. note
3 You will
be left like a dead tree without any
leaves or fruit.
4 Evil desire will destroy
you and make you a joke to
your enemies.
Friendship
5 If you are polite and courteous,
you will enjoy the friendship of
many people.
6 Exchange greetings
with many, but take advice from
only one person out of a thousand.
7 When you make friends, don't be
too quick to trust them; make sure
that they have proved themselves.
8 Some people will be your friends
only when it is convenient for them,
but they won't stand by you in trouble.
9 Others will fall out with you
over some argument, and then embarrass
you by letting everyone
know about it.
10
11 Others will sit at
your table as long as things are
going well; they will stick to you like
your shadow and give orders to your
-- --
servants, but they will not stand by
you in trouble.
12 If your situation
takes a turn for the worse, they will
turn against you, and you won't be
able to find them anywhere.
13 Stay away from your enemies
and be on guard against your
friends.
14 A loyal friend is like a safe
shelter; find one, and you have found
a treasure.
15 Nothing else is as valuable;
there is no way of putting a
price on it.
16 A loyal friend is like a
medicine that keeps you in good
health. Only those who fear the Lord
can find such a friend.
17 A person
who fears the Lord can make real
friendships, because he will treat his
friends as he does himself. note
Learn from Wisdom
18 Son, learn to value Wisdom
while you are young, and you will
still be able to find her when you
grow old.
19 Work as hard to find
Wisdom as a farmer works to plow
and plant his fields; then you can expect
a good harvest. You will have
to work at it for a while, but you will
soon be enjoying what you have
earned. note
20 Undisciplined people find
Wisdom's demands too hard and
don't have enough determination to
meet them.
21 Her requirements are
a burden heavier than they are willing
to bear, and they quickly lay
them aside.
22 “Discipline” means
just that—discipline, note and not many
people are able to discipline themselves.
23 Son, listen to me and take my
advice.
24 Put Wisdom's chains
around your feet and her yoke
around your neck.
25 Carry her on
your shoulder and don't be resentful
of her bonds.
26 Follow Wisdom, and
keep to her ways with all your heart.
27 Go looking for her, and she will reveal
herself to you. Take hold of her
and don't let go.
28 Then you will discover
the peace of mind she offers,
and she will become your joy.
29
30 The signs of slavery you wear
will become signs of royal majesty.
Her chains will be your protection,
and you will wear her yoke like a
magnificent robe.
31 You will wear
Wisdom like a splendid crown.
32 Son, you can learn if you want
to. You can be clever if you are determined
to be.
33 If you are willing
to listen, you will learn and become
wise.
34 Go where the old people are;
find a man who is wise, and stay
with him.
35 Be ready to listen when
religious people speak, and don't
miss anything that shows insight.
36 If you find a man with understanding,
get up early to call on him; wear
out his doorstep with your visits.
37 Devote all your time to studying
the Lord's commands and thinking
about them. He will give you the insight
and wisdom you are looking
for. note
Good News [1976], GOOD NEWS BIBLE WITH DEUTEROCANONICALS / APOCRYPHA Today's English Version (AMERICAN BIBLE SOCIETY, New York) [word count] [B15000].
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