Proverbs 3
1 My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
My son, forget not my teaching, and 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, will they increase unto thee.
3 Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.
Let kindness and truth not forsake thee; bind them about thy throat; write them upon the table of thy heart:
4 That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
So shalt thou find grace and good favor in the eyes 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 thy heart: and upon thy own understanding do not rely.
6 Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make level thy paths.
7 Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
Be not wise in thy own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
8 Then you will have healed and be made strong.
It will be healing to thy body, and marrow to thy bones.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
Honor the Lord with thy wealth, and with the first-fruits of all thy products:
10 Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
So shall thy storehouses be filled with plenty, and with new wine shall thy presses overflow.
11 My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,
The correction of the Lord, my son, do not despise; and feel no loathing for his admonition;
12 for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
Because whomever the Lord loveth he admonisheth; and as a father who delighteth in [his] son.
13 Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
Happy the man that hath found wisdom, and the man that acquireth understanding.
14 for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
For the obtaining of her is better than the obtaining of silver, and better than fine gold is her product.
15 She is more valuable than rubies—everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
She is more precious than pearls; and all the things thou valuest are not equal 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: in her left 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.
A tree of life is she to those that lay hold on her: and every one that firmly graspeth her will be made happy.
19 It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.
The Lord hath through wisdom founded the earth: he hath established the heavens through understanding.
20 It was through his knowledge the waters of the deep were broken open, and the clouds sent down the dew.
By his knowledge were the depths split open, 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 be removed from thy eyes; keep [before thee] sound wisdom and discretion:
22 for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
And they will be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy throat.
23 You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.
Then wilt thou walk in safety on thy way, and thy foot will not strike [against aught]:
24 When you rest, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
When thou layest thyself down, thou shalt feel no dread; and as thou liest down, thy sleep shall be pleasant.
25 You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,
Thou needest not to be afraid of sudden dread, neither of the [unlooked-for] tempest over 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 will be thy confidence, and he will guard thy foot from being caught.
27 Don't hold back good from those who deserve it when it's something you have the power to do.
Withhold not a benefit from him who is deserving it, 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.
Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and return, and tomorrow will I give: when thou hast it by thee.
29 Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
Contrive not against thy neighbor any evil, when he dwelleth in safety with thee.
30 Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
Quarrel not with any 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 not 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 froward is an abomination to the Lord; but with the upright is his good-will.
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 the habitation of the righteous will he bless.
34 He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
If [it concern] the scornful he will himself render them a scorn; but unto the lowly doth he give grace.
35 The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
The wise shall inherit glory; but fools shall obtain disgrace as their portion.
