Proverbs 3
1 My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
My son, do not forget my commands and keep my teachings in your heart,
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 you.
3 Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.
Do not let covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness ever leave you, tie them together about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
Then you will find favor and a good reputation 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 Yahweh with all your heart and do not lean on 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 will make your paths straight.
7 Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahweh and turn away from evil.
8 Then you will have healed and be made strong.
It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment for your body.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
Honor Yahweh with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce,
10 Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
and your storehouses will be filled up and your vats will be bursting, full of new wine.
11 My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,
My son, do not despise Yahweh's instruction and do not hate his rebuke,
12 for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
for Yahweh disciplines those he loves, as a father deals with a son who pleases him.
13 Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
The one who finds wisdom is blessed; he also gets understanding.
14 for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
What you gain from wisdom is better than what silver will give in return and its profit is better than gold.
15 She is more valuable than rubies—everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
Wisdom is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire can compare to her.
16 She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.
She has length of days 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 kindness 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 take hold of it, those who hold on to it are happy.
19 It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.
By wisdom Yahweh 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 broke open and the clouds dropped their dew.
21 My son, hold on to good judgment and wise decisions—don't let them out of your sight,
My son, keep sound judgment and discernment, and do not lose sight of them.
22 for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
They will be life to your soul and an adornment of favor to wear around your neck.
23 You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.
Then you will walk on your way in safety and your foot will 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 will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,
Do not be afraid of sudden terror or devastation caused by 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 Yahweh will be on your side and will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
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 who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
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 your neighbor, “Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have the money with you.
29 Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
Do not make a plan to harm your neighbor— the one who lives close and trusts you.
30 Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
Do not argue with a person without a reason, when he has done nothing to harm you.
31 Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
Do not envy a violent person or choose any of his ways.
32 For the Lord hates deceitful people, but he is a friend to those who do what is good.
For the devious person is detestable to Yahweh, but he brings the upright person into his confidence.
33 The houses of the wicked are cursed by the Lord, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.
The curse of Yahweh is on the house of the wicked person, but he blesses the home of righteous people.
34 He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
He mocks mockers, but he gives his favor to humble people.
35 The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
Wise people inherit honor, but fools will be lifted up in their shame.
