3:1 MY SON, forget not my law {or} teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; |
3:2 For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you. |
3:3 Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart. |
3:4 So shall you find favor, good understanding, {and} high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man. |
3:5 Lean on, trust in, {and} be confident in the Lord with all your heart {and} mind and do not rely on your own insight {or} understanding. |
3:6 In all your ways know, recognize, {and} acknowledge Him, and He will direct {and} make straight {and} plain your paths. |
3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear {and} worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil. |
3:8 It shall be health to your nerves {and} sinews, and marrow {and} moistening to your bones. |
3:9 Honor the Lord with your capital {and} sufficiency [from righteous labors] and with the firstfruits of all your income; |
3:10 So shall your storage places be filled with plenty, and your vats shall be overflowing with new wine. |
3:11 My son, do not despise {or} shrink from the chastening of the Lord [His correction by punishment or by subjection to suffering or trial]; neither be weary of {or} impatient about {or} loathe {or} abhor His reproof, |
3:12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights. |
3:13 Happy (blessed, fortunate, enviable) is the man who finds skillful {and} godly Wisdom, and the man who gets understanding [drawing it forth from God's Word and life's experiences], |
3:14 For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, and the profit of it better than fine gold. |
3:15 Skillful {and} godly Wisdom is more precious than rubies; and nothing you can wish for is to be compared to her. |
3:16 Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand are riches and honor. |
3:17 Her ways are highways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. |
3:18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold on her; and happy (blessed, fortunate, to be envied) is everyone who holds her fast. |
3:19 The Lord by skillful {and} godly Wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding He has established the heavens. |
3:20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies distill the dew. |
3:21 My son, let them not escape from your sight, but keep sound {and} godly Wisdom and discretion, |
3:22 And they will be life to your inner self, and a gracious ornament to your neck (your outer self). |
3:23 Then you will walk in your way securely {and} in confident trust, and you shall not dash your foot {or} stumble. |
3:24 When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet. |
3:25 Be not afraid of sudden terror {and} panic, nor of the stormy blast {or} the storm and ruin of the wicked when it comes [for you will be guiltless], |
3:26 For the Lord shall be your confidence, firm {and} strong, and shall keep your foot from being caught [in a trap or some hidden danger]. |
3:27 Withhold not good from those to whom it is due [its rightful owners], when it is in the power of your hand to do it. |
3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, Go, and come again; and tomorrow I will give it--when you have it with you. |
3:29 Do not contrive {or} dig up {or} cultivate evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly {and} confidently beside you. |
3:30 Contend not with a man for no reason--when he has done you no wrong. |
3:31 Do not resentfully envy {and} be jealous of an unscrupulous, grasping man, and choose none of his ways. |
3:32 For the perverse are an abomination [extremely disgusting and detestable] to the Lord; but His confidential communion {and} secret counsel are with the [uncompromisingly] righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with Him). |
3:33 The curse of the Lord is in {and} on the house of the wicked, but He declares blessed (joyful and favored with blessings) the home of the just {and} consistently righteous. |
3:34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers {and} scorns the scorners, yet He gives His undeserved favor to the low [in rank], the humble, {and} the afflicted. |
3:35 The wise shall inherit glory (all honor and good) but shame is the highest rank conferred on [self-confident] fools. |