Deuteronomy 30:15

Hebrew Bible

13 And it is not across the sea, as though one must say, ‘Who will cross over to the other side of the sea and get it for us and proclaim it to us so we may obey it?’ 14 For the thing is very near you—it is in your mouth and in your mind so that you can do it. 15Look! I have set before you today life and prosperity on the one hand, and death and disaster on the other. 16 What I am commanding you today is to love the Lord your God, to walk in his ways, and to obey his commandments, his statutes, and his ordinances. Then you will live and become numerous and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are about to possess. 17 However, if you turn aside and do not obey, but are lured away to worship and serve other gods,

Proverbs 12:28

Hebrew Bible

25 Anxiety in a person’s heart weighs him down, but an encouraging word brings him joy. 26 The righteous person is cautious in his friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. 27 The lazy person does not roast his prey, but personal possessions are precious to the diligent. 28 In the path of righteousness there is life, but another path leads to death.

 Notes and References

"... The experience of the people of God in Psalm 107 rather suggests that mercy may be the hope of those at least of God’s people who lapse into foolish behavior but who utter a heartfelt cry for deliverance. Though difficult and of uncertain outcome, since fools tend to despise discipline (Proverbs 1:7) and ridicule or abuse the means of restoration through sacrifice (Proverbs 14:9; Eccles 5:1), instruction is urged as the remedy (Proverbs 8:5), and discipline for fools is encouraged in the hope of a change of orientation (Proverbs 10:13; 16:22; 19:29; 22:15). The choice between wisdom and folly is presented as the fundamental and most crucial decision to be made in life, particularly by the young—the choice between life and death — and so, in slightly different language, echoes the covenantal choices of life and death offered to Israel in places such as Deuteronomy 30:15 ..."

Longman, Tremper, and Peter Enns Dictionary of the Old Testament: Wisdom, Poetry & Writings (p. 226) Inter-Varsity Press, 2008

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