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 peace they will add to you. |
3:3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around 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 lean on your own understanding. |
3:6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight. |
3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. |
3:8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones. |
3:9 Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce; |
3:10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine. |
3:11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof, |
3:12 For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father {corrects} the son in whom he delights. |
3:13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding. |
3:14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold. |
3:15 She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her. |
3:16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. |
3:17 Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace. |
3:18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast. |
3:19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens. |
3:20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew. |
3:21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion, |
3:22 So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck. |
3:23 Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble. |
3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. |
3:25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught 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 back, And tomorrow I will give {it,} When you have it with you." |
3:29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you. |
3:30 Do not contend with a man without cause, If 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 devious are an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright. |
3:33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. |
3:34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted. |
3:35 The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor. |