Proverbs 3

1 My son, do not forget my commands and keep my teachings in your heart,

My son, keep my teaching in your memory, and my rules in your heart:

2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

For they will give you increase of days, years of life, and peace.

3 Do not let covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness ever leave you, tie them together about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

Let not mercy and good faith go from you; let them be hanging round your neck, recorded on your heart;

4 Then you will find favor and a good reputation in the sight of God and man.

So you will have grace and a good name in the eyes of God and men.

5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding;

Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support.

6 in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahweh and turn away from evil.

Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil:

8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment for your body.

This will give strength to your flesh, and new life to your bones.

9 Honor Yahweh with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce,

Give honour to the Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase:

10 and your storehouses will be filled up and your vats will be bursting, full of new wine.

So your store-houses will be full of grain, and your vessels overflowing with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise Yahweh's instruction and do not hate his rebuke,

My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's teaching; do not be made angry by his training:

12 for Yahweh disciplines those he loves, as a father deals with a son who pleases him.

For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain.

13 The one who finds wisdom is blessed; he also gets understanding.

Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge.

14 What you gain from wisdom is better than what silver will give in return and its profit is better than gold.

For trading in it is better than trading in silver, and its profit greater than bright gold.

15 Wisdom is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire can compare to her.

She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her.

16 She has length of days in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour.

17 Her ways are ways of kindness and all her paths are peace.

Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of it, those who hold on to it are happy.

She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her.

19 By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth, by understanding he established the heavens.

The Lord by wisdom put in position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their place.

20 By his knowledge the depths broke open and the clouds dropped their dew.

By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from the skies.

21 My son, keep sound judgment and discernment, and do not lose sight of them.

My son, keep good sense, and do not let wise purpose go from your eyes.

22 They will be life to your soul and an adornment of favor to wear around your neck.

So they will be life for your soul, and grace for your neck.

23 Then you will walk on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble;

Then you will go safely on your way, and your feet will have no cause for slipping.

24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

When you take your rest you will have no fear, and on your bed sleep will be sweet to you.

25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or devastation caused by the wicked, when it comes,

Have no fear of sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers:

26 for Yahweh will be on your side and will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

For the Lord will be your hope, and will keep your foot from being taken in the net.

27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.

Do not keep back good from those who have a right to it, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have the money with you.

Say not to your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you at the time.

29 Do not make a plan to harm your neighbor— the one who lives close and trusts you.

Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is living with you without fear.

30 Do not argue with a person without a reason, when he has done nothing to harm you.

Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong.

31 Do not envy a violent person or choose any of his ways.

Have no envy of the violent man, or take any of his ways as an example.

32 For the devious person is detestable to Yahweh, but he brings the upright person into his confidence.

For the wrong-hearted man is hated by the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright.

33 The curse of Yahweh is on the house of the wicked person, but he blesses the home of righteous people.

The curse of the Lord is on the house of the evil-doer, but his blessing is on the tent of the upright.

34 He mocks mockers, but he gives his favor to humble people.

He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted.

35 Wise people inherit honor, but fools will be lifted up in their shame.

The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish.