Proverbs 3

1 My son, do not forget what I have taught you. Keep my commands in your inner being,

My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.

2 because [if you obey them] you will live a long time and things will go well for you

Then you will live a long time, and have a full life.

3 Always faithfully love others and (be faithful/do what you say that you will do); doing those things [will cause others to be pleased with you]; it will be as though you are wearing a beautiful necklace. Keep those things in your mind/inner being.

Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.

4 If you do, God and people will approve of you and think highly of you [MTY].

That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.

5 Trust in Yahweh completely, and do not rely on what you yourself understand.

Put your trust totally in the Lord—don't rely on what you think you know!

6 Always allow him to lead you. If you do that, he will (show you the right path/direct your life).

Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.

7 Do not be proud of being wise. [Instead], revere Yahweh and turn away from doing evil.

Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.

8 If you do that, your body will be healthy/strong; it will be [like] medicine for you.

Then you will have healed and be made strong.

9 Honor Yahweh by [what you do with] your money; and [by giving him] the first part of your harvest.

Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.

10 If you do that, [you will have a good harvest]. Yahweh will fill your barns [with grain], and your vats/containers will be overflowing with [grape juice for making] wine.

Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, when Yahweh disciplines/corrects you, do not despise it, and if he rebukes you, do not resent it.

My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,

12 [I say that] because it is the people whom Yahweh loves that he corrects/reproves, [just] like parents correct/reprove their sons whom they love.

for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.

13 [Yahweh] is pleased with those who become wise and have good understanding.

Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,

14 Being wise and having good understanding is worth more than silver, better than gold.

for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.

15 Being wise is more precious than (jewels/precious stones); there is nothing that you could desire [that would be as valuable] as wisdom.

She is more valuable than rubies—everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!

16 On the one hand, wisdom [PRS] enables [you] to live a long life, and on the other hand, wisdom enables [you] to become rich and to be honored.

She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.

17 If [you] are wise, [your] life will be pleasant, and things will go well [for you].

She brings true happiness, and leads to peaceful prosperity.

18 Wisdom is [like] a tree that gives long life to those who [eagerly] take hold of it, and [Yahweh] is pleased with those who hold onto it tightly.

Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.

19 By his wisdom Yahweh created the earth, and by his understanding he put everything in the skies.

It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.

20 By his knowledge [he caused] the water that was beneath the earth to burst forth, and he caused rain to fall from the clouds.

It was through his knowledge the waters of the deep were broken open, and the clouds sent down the dew.

21 My son, [always] keep doing things that are right and things that are smart. If you do that,

My son, hold on to good judgment and wise decisions—don't let them out of your sight,

22 you will live [many years] and be honored and respected {people will honor and respect you}.

for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.

23 If you do what is right and wise, you will [be able to] walk safely, and you will not (stumble/do things that are wrong) [MET].

You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.

24 You will [be able to] lie down [at night] and not be afraid [of anything], and you will sleep peacefully.

When you rest, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 You will not be afraid that something disastrous will happen to you or that storms that strike the wicked will strike you,

You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,

26 because you will be confident that Yahweh [will take care of you]. He will not let your foot be caught in a trap/snare.

for the Lord will be the one you can trust in, and he will prevent you being caught in a trap.

27 If you are able to help people who deserve it, do not refuse to help them.

Don't hold back good from those who deserve it when it's something you have the power to do.

28 If you are able to help someone you interact with, do not say, “Come back later; [perhaps] I can help you tomorrow.”

Don't tell your neighbor, “Go away. Come back tomorrow and then I'll give it to you,” when you've already got it.

29 Do not make plans to harm those you interact with regularly, [because] they live near you, and they trust you.

Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.

30 If someone has not harmed you, do not accuse him [by saying that he has harmed you].

Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.

31 Do not envy people who [obtain things by] violent actions, and do not imitate/do what they do.

Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!

32 [I say that] because Yahweh considers such people to be abominable/detestable; but he is a friend to [all] those who do what is right.

For the Lord hates deceitful people, but he is a friend to those who do what is good.

33 Yahweh curses the families [MTY] of those who are wicked, but he blesses the families of those who are good/righteous.

The houses of the wicked are cursed by the Lord, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.

34 Yahweh makes fun of those who make fun [of others], but he kindly helps those who are humble.

He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.

35 Wise [people] will be honored {people will honor wise people}, but foolish people will be dishonored/disgraced.

The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.