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24 The path of life leads upward for the prudent,
    turning them from Sheol below.[a]
25 The Lord pulls down the house of the proud,
    but preserves intact the widow’s landmark.
26 The schemes of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord,(A)
    but gracious words are pure.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. 15:24 Death is personified as Sheol, the underworld. “Up” and “down” in Hebrew as in English are metaphors for success and failure (see Dt 28:43). One who stays on the path of life need not fear the punishment that stalks sinners.
  2. 15:26 “Pure” here means acceptable. The language of ritual (acceptable or pure) is applied to ordinary human actions. “Gracious words” are words that bring peace to the neighbor.