Proverbs 3
1 My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
My son, forget not my law; but let thine 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 thee.
3 Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
So shalt thou find favour 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 thine heart; and lean not unto 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 shall direct thy paths.
7 Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 Then you will have healed and be made strong.
It shall 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.
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy 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 loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son [in whom] he delighteth.
13 Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
Happy [is] the man [that] findeth wisdom, and the man [that] getteth 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 thou canst desire are not to be compared unto 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 honour.
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 upon her: and happy [is every one] that retaineth 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 hath founded the earth; by understanding hath 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 thine 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 unto 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 shalt thou walk in thy way safely, 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 liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt 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, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
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 thy confidence, and shall 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.
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine 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 unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29 Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
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 thee no harm.
31 Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
Envy thou 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 froward [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 blesseth the habitation of the just.
34 He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto 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.
