3:1  My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

3:2  for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you.

3:3  Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

3:4  So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.

3:5  Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.

3:6  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

3:7  Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

3:8  It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

3:9  Honor the LORD with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce;

3:10  then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

3:11  My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,

3:12  for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

3:13  Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding,

3:14  for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its profit better than gold.

3:15  She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

3:16  Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are 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 of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.

3:19  The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;

3:20  by his knowledge the deeps broke forth, and the clouds drop down the dew.

3:21  My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion; let them not escape from your sight,

3:22  and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.

3:23  Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble.

3:24  If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

3:25  Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes;

3:26  for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

3:27  Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

3:28  Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it" --when you have it with you.

3:29  Do not plan evil against your neighbor who dwells trustingly beside you.

3:30  Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

3:31  Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways;

3:32  for the perverse man is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.

3:33  The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous.

3:34  Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor.

3:35  The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.