Proverbs 3
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
2 for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.
Then you will live a long time, and have a full life.
3 Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.
4 Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;
Put your trust totally in the Lord—don't rely on what you think you know!
6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.
Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
8 This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.
Then you will have healed and be made strong.
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest;
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke;
My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,
12 for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.
for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,
Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.
for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.
She is more valuable than rubies—everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.
17 All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.
She brings true happiness, and leads to peaceful prosperity.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed.
Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.
19 The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.
It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.
20 By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew.
It was through his knowledge the waters of the deep were broken open, and the clouds sent down the dew.
21 My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment.
My son, hold on to good judgment and wise decisions—don't let them out of your sight,
22 They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.
for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.
When you rest, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,
26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.
for the Lord will be the one you can trust in, and he will prevent you being caught in a trap.
27 Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act.
Don't hold back good from those who deserve it when it's something you have the power to do.
28 Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”— when you already have the means.
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 devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you.
Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
30 Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm.
Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;
Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
32 for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright.
For the Lord hates deceitful people, but he is a friend to those who do what is good.
33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous.
The houses of the wicked are cursed by the Lord, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.
34 He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble.
He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame.
The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
