Proverbs 3
1 My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments:
2 Then you will live a long time, and have a full life.
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you.
3 Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.
Let not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them about your neck; write them on the table of your heart:
4 That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
So shall you 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 the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding.
6 Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.
7 Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 Then you will have healed and be made strong.
It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the first fruits of all your increase:
10 Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out 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 the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
12 for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding.
14 for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof 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 all the things you can desire are not 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; and in her left hand 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 them that lay hold on her: and happy is every one that retains her.
19 It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.
The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has 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 are broken up, and the clouds 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 not them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
So shall they be life to your soul, and grace to your neck.
23 You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.
Then shall you walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble.
24 When you rest, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: yes, you shall lie down, and your 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, neither 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 the LORD shall be your confidence, and shall keep your 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.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your 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.
Say not to your neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when you have it by you.
29 Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
Devise not evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwells securely by you.
30 Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done you no harm.
31 Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
Envy you not the oppressor, 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 fraudulent is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
33 The houses of the wicked are cursed by the Lord, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.
The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the habitation of the just.
34 He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
Surely he scorns the scorners: 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.
