The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and a wise man wins friends. Behold, the righteous will be repaid on the earth, how much more the wicked and the sinner! In the path of righteousness is life, but the way of error leads to death.

   The good man's life is full of light. The sinner's road is dark and gloomy. Train yourself in godliness, for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

   A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Your own soul is nourished when you are kind; it is destroyed when you are cruel.

   Some people like to make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise soothe and heal. Get rid of all bitterness among you - bad temper, anger, clamor, abusive language and all malice. Be kind toward one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God has in Christ forgiven you.

   Reverence for the Lord is a fountain of life; its waters keep a man from death. Be not wise in your own eyes; revere the Lord and depart from evil; it will be healing to your body and nourishment to your bones.

   The light of the eyes rejoices the heart, and good news refreshes the bones. Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. A cheerful heart is a good medicine, but a downcast spirit dries up the bones. Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. A glad heart makes a cheerful countenance, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is broken. A man's spirit will endure sickness, but a broken spirit who can carry?

   A relaxed attitude lengthens a man's life; jealousy rots it away. All the days of the afflicted are evil, but a cheerful heart has a continual feast.

   Help me, O Lord my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy, that they may know that this is Your hand - that You, Lord, have done it!

Taken from Pr. 11, 12, 13, II Tim. 2, I Tim. 4, Pr. 15, 18, Eph. 4, Pr. 14, 3, 16, 17,
Ps. 109, The Modern Language Bible, The Revised Standard Version and The Living Bible.
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