Proverbs 3
1 My son, forget not my teaching, and let thy heart observe my commandments;
My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
2 for length of days, and years of life, and peace shall they add to thee.
Then you will live a long time, and have a full life.
3 Let not loving-kindness and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck, write them upon the tablet of thy heart:
Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.
4 and thou shalt find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
5 Confide in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own intelligence;
Put your trust totally in the Lord—don't rely on what you think you know!
6 in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths.
Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear Jehovah, and depart from evil:
Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
8 it shall be health for thy navel, and moisture for thy bones.
Then you will have healed and be made strong.
9 Honour Jehovah with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase;
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
10 so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine.
Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, despise not the instruction of Jehovah, neither be weary of his chastisement;
My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,
12 for whom Jehovah loveth he chasteneth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
13 Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
14 For the gain thereof is better than the gain of silver, and her revenue than fine gold.
for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not equal unto her.
She is more valuable than rubies—everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
16 Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand riches and honour.
She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She brings true happiness, and leads to peaceful prosperity.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is he that retaineth her.
Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.
19 Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens.
It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.
20 By his knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.
It was through his knowledge the waters of the deep were broken open, and the clouds sent down the dew.
21 My son, let them not depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion:
My son, hold on to good judgment and wise decisions—don't let them out of your sight,
22 so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy neck.
for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, and thy foot shall not stumble;
You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.
24 when thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid, but thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet.
When you rest, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the destruction of the wicked, when it cometh;
You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,
26 for Jehovah shall be thy confidence, and he will keep thy foot from being taken.
for the Lord will be the one you can trust in, and he will prevent you being caught in a trap.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it.
Don't hold back good from those who deserve it when it's something you have the power to do.
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give, when thou hast it by thee.
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 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
31 Envy not the man of violence, and choose none of his ways.
Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
32 For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; but his secret is with the upright.
For the Lord hates deceitful people, but he is a friend to those who do what is good.
33 The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; but he blesseth the habitation 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 indeed scorneth the scorners; but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
35 The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of the foolish.
The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
