3:1 My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commandments; |
3:2 For they shall add length of days, and long life, and peace, to you. |
3:3 Do not let mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them upon the tablet of your heart; |
3:4 And so you shall find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. |
3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding. |
3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. |
3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil. |
3:8 It shall be health to your navel and marrow to your bones. |
3:9 Honor the LORD with your substance and with the firstfruits of all your increase; |
3:10 And your barns shall be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst with new wine. |
3:11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be weary of His correction; |
3:12 For whom the LORD loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. |
3:13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding, |
3:14 For the merchandise of it is better than the gain from silver, and its produce more than the gain of fine gold; |
3:15 She is more precious than rubies; and all the things you can desire are not to be compared with her. |
3:16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand, riches and honor. |
3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. |
3:18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold upon her; and happy is everyone who holds her fast. |
3:19 The LORD has founded the earth by wisdom; by understanding He has established the heavens. |
3:20 By His knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. |
3:21 My son, do not let them depart from your eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion, |
3:22 And they shall be life to your soul and grace to your neck. |
3:23 Then you shall walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble. |
3:24 When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yea, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet. |
3:25 Have no fear of sudden disaster, nor of the desolation of the wicked when it comes; |
3:26 For the LORD shall be your confidence and shall keep your foot from being taken. |
3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. |
3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go and come back again, and tomorrow I will give," when you have it with you: |
3:29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor since he dwells trustingly by you. |
3:30 Do not strive with a man without cause if he has done you no harm. |
3:31 Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways, |
3:32 For the crooked man is an abomination to the LORD, but His secret is with the righteous. |
3:33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous. |
3:34 Surely He scorns the scorners, but He gives grace to the lowly. |
3:35 The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the promotion of fools. |