Proverbs 3
1 My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
My son, do not forget my law, but let thy heart keep my commandments.
2 Then you will live a long time, and have a full life.
For length of days, and years of life, and peace, they will add to thee.
3 Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.
Let not kindness and truth forsake thee. Bind them about thy neck, write them upon the tablet of thy heart,
4 That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
so thou shall find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Put your trust totally in the Lord—don't rely on what you think you know!
Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not upon thine own understanding.
6 Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will direct thy paths.
7 Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
Be not wise in thine own eyes. Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil.
8 Then you will have healed and be made strong.
It will be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
Honor Jehovah with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase,
10 Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
so thy barns shall be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine.
11 My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,
My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah, nor be weary of his reproof.
12 for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
For whom Jehovah loves he reproves, and he whips every son whom he receives.
13 Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding.
14 for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
For the gain of it is better than the gain of silver, and the profit of it than fine gold.
15 She is more valuable than rubies—everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
She is more precious than rubies, and none of the things thou can desire are to be compared to her.
16 She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.
Length of days is in her right hand, in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 She brings true happiness, and leads to peaceful prosperity.
Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold upon her. And happy is everyone who retains her.
19 It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.
Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth. By understanding he established the heavens.
20 It was through his knowledge the waters of the deep were broken open, and the clouds sent down the dew.
By his knowledge the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.
21 My son, hold on to good judgment and wise decisions—don't let them out of your sight,
My son, let them not depart from thine eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
so they shall be life to thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23 You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.
Then thou shall walk in thy way securely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When you rest, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
When thou lie down, thou shall not be afraid. Yea, thou shall lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,
Be not afraid of sudden fear, nor of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes.
26 for the Lord will be the one you can trust in, and he will prevent you being caught in a trap.
For Jehovah will be thy confidence, and will keep thy foot from being taken.
27 Don't hold back good from those who deserve it when it's something you have the power to do.
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it.
28 Don't tell your neighbor, “Go away. Come back tomorrow and then I'll give it to you,” when you've already got it.
Do not say to thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give, when thou have it by thee.
29 Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
Do not devise evil against thy neighbor, since he dwells securely by thee.
30 Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done thee no harm.
31 Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
Do not envy thou the man of violence, and choose none of his ways.
32 For the Lord hates deceitful people, but he is a friend to those who do what is good.
For the perverse man is an abomination to Jehovah, but his friendship is with the upright.
33 The houses of the wicked are cursed by the Lord, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.
The curse of Jehovah is in the house of a wicked man, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
34 He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
Surely the Lord is opposed to the arrogant, but he gives grace to the lowly.
35 The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
