Verse
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King James Version
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Proposed Conservative Translation
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Analysis
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1
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The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel;
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The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, the King of Israel;
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Punctuation
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2
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To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
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To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
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Perceive conveys the meaning more clearly. See is no improvement.
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3
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To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
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To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, judgment and evenness;
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(evenness מישׁר-mêyshâr evenness, that is, (figuratively) prosperity or concord; also straightness, that is, (figuratively) rectitude (only in plural with singular sense; often adverbially): - agreement, aright,
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4
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To give subtilty to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
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to give wisdom to the foolish, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
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5
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A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels:
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a wise man will listen and will learn and an understanding man will take wise advice:
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6
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To understand a proverb, and the interpretation; the words of the wise, and their dark sayings.
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To understand a proverb and the interpretation; the words of the wise and their dark sayings.
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7
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The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
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Fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools strongly hate wisdom and instruction.
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8
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My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
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My son, hear the instructions of your father and don't abandon the law of your mother.
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9
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For they shall be an ornament of grace unto thy head, and chains about thy neck.
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For they will be an ornament of grace on your head, and chains on your neck.
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10
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My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.
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My son, don't concede if sinners allure you,
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11
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If they say, Come with us, let us lay wait for blood, let us lurk privily for the innocent without cause:
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If they say, "come with us, lets lay wait to kill, let's sneak secretly for innocent people without reason":
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12
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Let us swallow them up alive as the grave; and whole, as those that go down into the pit:
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"let us swallow them alive and whole like the grave as those who Go down to the pit of Hell"
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13
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We shall find all precious substance, we shall fill our houses with spoil:
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"We shall find all precious treasures, we'll fill our houses with spoils"
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14
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Cast in thy lot among us; let us all have one purse:
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"Gamble and bet with us, we will all have one bag:
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purse (kı̂ys)a form for a cup; also a bag for money or weights: - bag, cup, purse.
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15
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My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:
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My son, Don't go that way with them; keep your foot from their path:
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16
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For their feet run to evil, and make haste to shed blood.
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Because their feet run to evil and are quick to shed blood
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17
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Surely in vain the net is spread in the sight of any bird.
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surely in vain the net is spread where the bird can see it
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18
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And they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk privily for their own lives.
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and they lay wait for their own blood; they lurk secretly for their own lives.
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19
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So are the ways of every one that is greedy of gain; which taketh away the life of the owners thereof.
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it's the same for everyone that is greedy of profit; which kills the real owners of it.
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20
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Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice in the streets:
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wisdom cries out; she utters her voice in the streets
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"she" is a personification of wisdom (feminine)
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21
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She crieth in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she uttereth her words, saying,
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She cries in the chief place of concourse, in the openings of the gates: in the city she utters her words, saying
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22
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How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
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how long will you foolish people love foolishness? how long will scorners delight in their scorning, how long will fools hate knowledge?
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foolish (פּתי) also called simple or silly
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23
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Turn you at my reproof: behold, I will pour out my spirit unto you, I will make known my words unto you.
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tern to my correction: look, i will pour out my spirit into you, i will make my words known to you
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correction (תּוכחת תּוכחה) also called reproof, rebuking or chastening
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24
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Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded;
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Because i called but you refused; i have stretched out my hand, and no man gave heed
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25
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But ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof:
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but you refused to take my advice, and engorge my correction
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correction (see verse 23)
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26
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I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;
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i will also laugh at your destruction; i'll mock you when your fear comes,
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27
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When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.
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when your fear comes like desolation, and your destruction comes like a whirlwind; when stress and anguish comes upon you.
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28
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Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:
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then they will call upon me, but i'll ignore them, they will seek me, but they will not find me:
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29
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For that they hated knowledge, and did not choose the fear of the LORD:
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because they hated knowledge, and didn't choose to fear the LORD
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30
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They would none of my counsel: they despised all my reproof.
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they didn't take my advice, they hated my correction.
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correction (see verse 23)
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31
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Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.
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therefore they eat the fruit of their way, and will be filled with their own devices
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32
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For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
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because of their turning away, the simple will kill them, the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
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33
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But whoso hearkeneth unto me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.
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but those who listened to me will be safe, and they wont fear evil ones
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Verse
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King James Version
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Proposed Conservative Translation
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Analysis
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1
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My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee;
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My son, if you will accept my words and cherish my commandments within yourself,
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2
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So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding;
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so you incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding,
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3
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Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding;
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If you cry out for knowledge, and lift up your voice for understanding,
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4
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If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures;
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if you seek her as silver, and search for her like hidden treasures,
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"she" is a personification of wisdom (feminine)Solomon always personifies wisdom in the feminine
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5
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Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
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Then you will understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.
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6
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For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.
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Because the LORD gives wisdom and out of his mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
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7
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He layeth up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to them that walk uprightly.
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He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous: he is a buckler to those who walk upright.
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8
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He keepeth the paths of judgment, and preserveth the way of his saints.
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He keeps the paths of judgement and preserves the way of his saints.
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9
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Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good path.
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Then you will understand righteousness, judgement and equality, yes! every good path.
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10
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When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul;
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when wisdom enters into your heart, knowledge is pleasant to your soul.
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11
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Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:
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discretion will preserve you and understanding will be your keeper;
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12
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To deliver thee from the way of the evil man, from the man that speaketh froward things;
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it will deliver you from the way of an evil man, from the man that speaks perversely,
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(perversely) originally translated "forwardly"
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13
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Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;
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from Him who leaves the path of uprightness to instead walk in the ways of darkness,
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14
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Who rejoice to do evil, and delight in the frowardness of the wicked;
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From him who rejoices to do evil and delights in the perversity of the wicked,
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15
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Whose ways are crooked, and they froward in their paths:
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whose ways are crooked, and perverse in their paths,
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16
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To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words;
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it will also deliver you from the strange woman, even from the stranger that flatters with her words,
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17
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Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God.
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which abandons the guide of her youth, and forgets the covenant with her God,
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18
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For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead.
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her house is full of death, and her paths lead to the dead.
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19
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None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life.
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no-one that goes with her comes back, neither do they take hold of the paths of life.
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20
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That thou mayest walk in the way of good men, and keep the paths of the righteous.
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may you walk in the way of good men and keep paths of the righteous.
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21
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For the upright shall dwell in the land, and the perfect shall remain in it.
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the upright will stay in the land, and the perfect will remain in it.
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22
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But the wicked shall be cut off from the earth, and the transgressors shall be rooted out of it.
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but the wicked will be cut off from the earth and the sinner shall be rooted out of it.
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sinners can also be translated transgressors because a sin is a transgression from Gods law, the Hebrew here is בּגד(bow gad')
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Verse
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King James Version
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Proposed Conservative Translation
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Analysis
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1
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My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
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My son, don't forget my law; but let your heart keep my commandments:
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2
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For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
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For Long days and a long life and for peace, you will have it all if you keep them.
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3
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Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
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Don't let mercy and truth leave you: keep them close to you write them on your heart:
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4
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So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
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Then you will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and men.
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5
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Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
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Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and don't lean on your own understanding.
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This and the following verse are a favorite of "Johnny Football" (Johnny Manziel), who is likely to become the first freshman ever to win the Heisman Trophy.
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6
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In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
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acknowledge him in all your ways and he shall direct your paths.
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7
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Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
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don't be wise in your own eyes: but fear the LORD and depart from evil.
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8
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It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
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It will be health to your navel and marrow to your bones.
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9
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Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
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Honor the LORD with your substance and with all your first-fruits:
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10
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So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
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Your barns shall be filled plentifully and your wine presses will burst with new wine.
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11
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My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
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My son, don't hate the chastening of the LORD and don't get tired of his correction:
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12
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For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
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Because God corrects those who he loves like a father delights in his son.
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13
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Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
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Happy is he who finds wisdom and the man that understands.
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14
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For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
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Because merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and it gives more than fine gold.
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15
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She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
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She is more precious then rubies and everything you want does not compare to her.
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"she" is a personification of wisdom (feminine)
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16
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Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
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Long life is in her right hand; and in her left hand is riches and honor.
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17
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Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
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Her ways are pleasant ways and her paths are peace.
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18
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She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
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She is a tree of life to those who hold her those who retain her are happy.
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19
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The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
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The LORD founded the earth by his wisdom; by his understanding has established the heavens.
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20
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By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
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By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop dew.
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21
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My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
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My son, don't let them depart from your eyes: keep your wisdom and discretion sound:
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22
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So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
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They will be life to your soul and grace to your neck.
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23
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Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
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Then you will walk your way safely and your foot won't stumble.
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24
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When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
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Then when you lie down, you will not be afraid, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
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25
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Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
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Don't be afraid of sudden fear or the desolation of the wicked when it comes.
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26
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For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
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For the LORD will be your confidence and will stop your foot from being taken.
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27
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Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
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Don't hold back goodness to those who it is due when you have the power to do it.
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28
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Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
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Don't tell your neighbor "Go and come back tomorrow, then I'll give it to you." when you have it with you.
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it could be the object the neighbor wants. or perhaps "it" is wisdom
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29
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Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
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Don't devise evil against your neighbor, seeing that he dwells securely by you.
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30
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Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
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Don't argue with a man without a reason if he hasn't done you any harm.
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31
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Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
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Don't envy the unjust man, nor imitate his ways.
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Admonition not to imitate the ways of the unjust man.
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32
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For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
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For the adverse is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
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33
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The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
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The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked however he blesses the habitation of those who are just.
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34
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Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
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surely he scorns the scorners but he gives grace to those who are low
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lowly (עניו ענו) can also mean the following: humble, lowly, meek, poor.
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35
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The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
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The wise will inherit glory, but shame will set upon fools.
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set upon (רוּם) can also mean: fall upon
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Verse
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King James Version
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Proposed Conservative Translation
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Analysis
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1
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Hear, ye children, the instruction of a father, and attend to know understanding.
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Listen children to the instructions of a father and have good understanding.
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2
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For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law.
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because i will give you good doctrine, don't abandon my law.
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3
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For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.
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i was my fathers son, tender and only loved in the sight of my mother.
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4
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He taught me also, and said unto me, Let thine heart retain my words: keep my commandments, and live.
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He also taught, me and said to me, let your heart keep my words, keep my commandments and live.
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5
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Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth.
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Get wisdom and understanding, don't forget it and don't reject the words from my mouth.
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6
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Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee.
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don't forsake her for she shall preserve you, love her and she will keep you.
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"she" is a personification of wisdom or understanding (feminine)
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7
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Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.
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wisdom is the primary thing so get wisdom and with all your might get understanding
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8
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Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.
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Exalt her, and she will rase you up, she will bring you honor when you embrace her.
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9
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She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee.
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she will put a ornament of grace on your head, a crown of glory she will give you.
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10
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Hear, O my son, and receive my sayings; and the years of thy life shall be many.
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listen O my son and take my saying so you will live long.
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11
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I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths.
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i have taught you in a wise way and i have led you in correct paths.
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12
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When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straitened; and when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble.
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when you leave, your steps will not be strained and when you run you will not fall.
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13
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Take fast hold of instruction; let her not go: keep her; for she is thy life.
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take a firm grip of instruction, don't let her go, keep her! she is your life.
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14
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Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.
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don't go down the path of the wicked and not in the way of evil men.
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15
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Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.
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avoid it, don't even pass by it!, tern from it and pass away
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16
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For they sleep not, except they have done mischief; and their sleep is taken away, unless they cause some to fall.
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because they don't sleep unless they have done mischief, they cant sleep unless they have caused someone to fall.
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17
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For they eat the bread of wickedness, and drink the wine of violence.
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they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
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18
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But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.
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however, the path of the just is like a shining light that shines more they a perfect day.
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19
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The way of the wicked is as darkness: they know not at what they stumble.
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the way of the wicked is like darkness they don't know what they stumble over.
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20
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My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.
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my son, listen to my words with your ear, listen to my sayings.
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21
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Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart.
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don't let them depart from your sight keep them in the midst of your heart.
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22
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For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh.
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for it is life for those who find them, and its health for their bodies
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23
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Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.
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see to your heart with diligence because out of it come life issues.
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24
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Put away from thee a froward mouth, and perverse lips put far from thee.
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put away from yourself a perverted mouth and keep perverted lips far from yourself.
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25
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Let thine eyes look right on, and let thine eyelids look straight before thee.
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let your eyes look onward, and keep your eyelids straight in front of you.
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26
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Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.
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think about the path that you walk, let all your ways be established.
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27
|
Turn not to the right hand nor to the left: remove thy foot from evil.
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Don't tern to your right or your left, and remove your foot from evil.
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Verse
|
King James Version
|
Proposed Conservative Translation
|
Analysis
|
1
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My son, attend unto my wisdom, and bow thine ear to my understanding:
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My son, pay attention to my wisdom and listen with your ear to my understanding:
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2
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That thou mayest regard discretion, and that thy lips may keep knowledge.
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So that you highly regard discretion and so your lips keep knowledge.
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3
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For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil:
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The lips of a strange woman are like a honeycomb, her mouth is smoother then oil:
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4
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But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a twoedged sword.
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But the result is bitter like poison wormwood, as sharp as a double-edged sword.
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5
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Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell.
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Her feet go down to death, and her steps take hold in hell.
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6
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Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.
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If you ponder the path of life, it will move, and you cannot know it.
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7
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Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth.
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Hear me now, O you children, and don't depart from the words of my mouth,
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8
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Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:
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Make your way far from her ways and don't come close to her house,
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9
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Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:
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Don't give your honor to others, or your years to the cruel,
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10
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Lest strangers be filled with thy wealth; and thy labours be in the house of a stranger;
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Let not strangers be filled with your wealth or your labors be in the house of a stranger,
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11
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And thou mourn at the last, when thy flesh and thy body are consumed,
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And you mourn at the last, when your flesh and body are consumed.
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12
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And say, How have I hated instruction, and my heart despised reproof;
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And say, I have hated instructions and my heart despised correction,
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13
|
And have not obeyed the voice of my teachers, nor inclined mine ear to them that instructed me!
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I have not obeyed the voice of my teachers nor have I listened with my ear to those who instructed me!
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14
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I was almost in all evil in the midst of the congregation and assembly.
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i was almost in all evil in the presence of the congregation and the assembly.
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15
|
Drink waters out of thine own cistern, and running waters out of thine own well.
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Drink your own collected waters, and running waters out of your own well.
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Original KJV uses the word cistern which is a receptacle for collecting and storing rain water etc. collected waters is better for communicating the point in the modern English.
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16
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Let thy fountains be dispersed abroad, and rivers of waters in the streets.
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Let your fountains be separated abroad, and rivers of waters in the street
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17
|
Let them be only thine own, and not strangers' with thee.
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Let them be only your own and not with strangers.
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18
|
Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth.
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Let your fountain be blessed and rejoice with the wife of your youth.
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in the context of rejoicing with ones wife "fountain" can be "interpreted" in more than one way.
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19
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Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love.
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Let her be as the loving hind and the pleasant roe, let her breasts satisfy you at all times, be ravished always always with her love.
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20
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And why wilt thou, my son, be ravished with a strange woman, and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
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And will you, my son, be ravished with a strange woman and embrace the bosom of a stranger?
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21
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For the ways of man are before the eyes of the LORD, and he pondereth all his goings.
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For the ways of man are in front of the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his ways.
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22
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His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden with the cords of his sins.
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His own wrongdoings will take the wicked himself, and he will be tied in his own sins.
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23
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He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.
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He shall die without correction, and in his great foolishness he will go astray.
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Verse
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King James Version
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Proposed Conservative Translation
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Analysis
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1
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My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger,
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2
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Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth.
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3
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Do this now, my son, deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy friend; go, humble thyself, and make sure thy friend.
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4
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Give not sleep to thine eyes, nor slumber to thine eyelids.
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5
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Deliver thyself as a roe from the hand of the hunter, and as a bird from the hand of the fowler.
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6
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Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise:
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7
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Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler,
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8
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Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.
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9
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How long wilt thou sleep, O sluggard? when wilt thou arise out of thy sleep?
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10
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Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep:
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11
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So shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
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12
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A naughty person, a wicked man, walketh with a froward mouth.
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13
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He winketh with his eyes, he speaketh with his feet, he teacheth with his fingers;
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14
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Frowardness is in his heart, he deviseth mischief continually; he soweth discord.
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15
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Therefore shall his calamity come suddenly; suddenly shall he be broken without remedy.
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16
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These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
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17
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A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
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18
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An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
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19
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A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.
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20
|
My son, keep thy father's commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother:
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21
|
Bind them continually upon thine heart, and tie them about thy neck.
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22
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When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.
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23
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For the commandment is a lamp; and the law is light; and reproofs of instruction are the way of life:
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24
|
To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman.
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25
|
Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids.
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26
|
For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life.
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27
|
Can a man take fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned?
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28
|
Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned?
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29
|
So he that goeth in to his neighbour's wife; whosoever toucheth her shall not be innocent.
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30
|
Men do not despise a thief, if he steal to satisfy his soul when he is hungry;
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31
|
But if he be found, he shall restore sevenfold; he shall give all the substance of his house.
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32
|
But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.
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33
|
A wound and dishonour shall he get; and his reproach shall not be wiped away.
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34
|
For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.
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35
|
He will not regard any ransom; neither will he rest content, though thou givest many gifts.
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Verse
|
King James Version
|
Proposed Conservative Translation
|
Analysis
|
1
|
My son, keep my words, and lay up my commandments with thee.
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|
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2
|
Keep my commandments, and live; and my law as the apple of thine eye.
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3
|
Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart.
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4
|
Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman:
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5
|
That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words.
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6
|
For at the window of my house I looked through my casement,
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7
|
And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding,
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8
|
Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house,
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9
|
In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night:
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10
|
And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.
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11
|
(She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house:
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12
|
Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.)
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13
|
So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him,
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14
|
I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows.
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15
|
Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee.
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16
|
I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt.
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17
|
I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon.
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18
|
Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves.
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|
19
|
For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey:
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|
20
|
He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed.
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21
|
With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him.
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22
|
He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks;
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23
|
Till a dart strike through his liver; as a bird hasteth to the snare, and knoweth not that it is for his life.
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24
|
Hearken unto me now therefore, O ye children, and attend to the words of my mouth.
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|
|
25
|
Let not thine heart decline to her ways, go not astray in her paths.
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|
26
|
For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.
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|
27
|
Her house is the way to hell, going down to the chambers of death.
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|
Verse
|
King James Version
|
Proposed Conservative Translation
|
Analysis
|
1
|
Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice?
|
Does wisdom not cry? Does understanding put its voice forth?
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|
2
|
She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
|
It stands in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths.
|
|
3
|
She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors.
|
It cries at the gates, the entry of the city and at the coming in at the doors.
|
|
4
|
Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man.
|
I call to you, O men and my voice is to the sons of man.
|
|
5
|
O ye simple, understand wisdom: and, ye fools, be ye of an understanding heart.
|
To the simple, understand wisdom. To the fools, have an understanding heart.
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|
6
|
Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips shall be right things.
|
Do hear, as I will speak of great things and the opening of my lips will be right things.
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|
7
|
For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
|
My mouth will speak truth, as wickedness is an abomination to my lips.
|
|
8
|
All the words of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing froward or perverse in them.
|
Everything I speak is righteous, and there is nothing obstinate I say.
|
|
9
|
They are all plain to him that understandeth, and right to them that find knowledge.
|
These words are plain to those who understand them, and are good for those who seek knowledge.
|
|
10
|
Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold.
|
Reveive my instruction and knowledge instead of silver and gold.
|
|
11
|
For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it.
|
|
|
12
|
I wisdom dwell with prudence, and find out knowledge of witty inventions.
|
|
|
13
|
The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.
|
|
|
14
|
Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom: I am understanding; I have strength.
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|
|
15
|
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice.
|
|
|
16
|
By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.
|
|
|
17
|
I love them that love me; and those that seek me early shall find me.
|
|
|
18
|
Riches and honour are with me; yea, durable riches and righteousness.
|
|
|
19
|
My fruit is better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver.
|
|
|
20
|
I lead in the way of righteousness, in the midst of the paths of judgment:
|
|
|
21
|
That I may cause those that love me to inherit substance; and I will fill their treasures.
|
|
|
22
|
The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old.
|
|
|
23
|
I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning, or ever the earth was.
|
|
|
24
|
When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water.
|
|
|
25
|
Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth:
|
|
|
26
|
While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world.
|
|
|
27
|
When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth:
|
|
|
28
|
When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep:
|
|
|
29
|
When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth:
|
|
|
30
|
Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him;
|
|
|
31
|
Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men.
|
Rejoicing in the human race, and finding amusement in the descendants of Adam.
|
שַׁעֲשׁוּעִים is best translated today as "amusement" rather than the archaic "delight"; אָדָם is "Adam", not "men".
|
32
|
Now therefore hearken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways.
|
|
|
33
|
Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not.
|
|
|
34
|
Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.
|
|
|
35
|
For whoso findeth me findeth life, and shall obtain favour of the LORD.
|
|
|
36
|
But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death.
|
|
|