Proverbs 3
1 My sonne, forget not thou my Lawe, but let thine heart keepe my commandements.
My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
2 For they shall increase the length of thy dayes and the yeeres of life, and thy prosperitie.
Then you will live a long time, and have a full life.
3 Let not mercie and trueth forsake thee: binde them on thy necke, and write them vpon the table of thine heart.
Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.
4 So shalt thou finde fauour and good vnderstanding in the sight of God and man.
That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and leane not vnto thine owne wisdome.
Put your trust totally in the Lord—don't rely on what you think you know!
6 In all thy wayes acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy wayes.
Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.
7 Be not wise in thine owne eyes: but feare the Lord, and depart from euill.
Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
8 So health shalbe vnto thy nauel, and marowe vnto thy bones.
Then you will have healed and be made strong.
9 Honour the Lord with thy riches, and with the first fruites of all thine increase.
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
10 So shall thy barnes be filled with abundance, and thy presses shall burst with newe wine.
Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My sonne, refuse not the chastening of the Lord, neither be grieued with his correction.
My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,
12 For the Lord correcteth him, whome he loueth, euen as the father doeth the childe in whom he deliteth.
for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
13 Blessed is the man that findeth wisedome, and the man that getteth vnderstanding.
Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
14 For the marchandise thereof is better then the marchandise of siluer, and the gaine thereof is better then golde.
for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
15 It is more precious then pearles: and all things that thou canst desire, are not to be compared vnto her.
She is more valuable than rubies—everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
16 Length of dayes is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory.
She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.
17 Her wayes are wayes of pleasure, and all her pathes prosperitie.
She brings true happiness, and leads to peaceful prosperity.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay holde on her, and blessed is he that retaineth her.
Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.
19 The Lord by wisdome hath layde the foundation of the earth, and hath stablished the heauens through vnderstanding.
It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.
20 By his knowledge the depthes are broken vp, and the cloudes droppe downe the dewe.
It was through his knowledge the waters of the deep were broken open, and the clouds sent down the dew.
21 My sonne, let not these things depart from thine eyes, but obserue wisdome, and counsell.
My son, hold on to good judgment and wise decisions—don't let them out of your sight,
22 So they shalbe life to thy soule, and grace vnto thy necke.
for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
23 Then shalt thou walke safely by thy way: and thy foote shall not stumble.
You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.
24 If thou sleepest, thou shalt not bee afraide, and when thou sleepest, thy sleepe shalbe sweete.
When you rest, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Thou shalt not feare for any sudden feare, neither for the destruction of the wicked, when it commeth.
You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,
26 For the Lord shall be for thine assurance, and shall preserue thy foote from taking.
for the Lord will be the one you can trust in, and he will prevent you being caught in a trap.
27 Withhold not the good from the owners thereof, though there be power in thine hand to doe it.
Don't hold back good from those who deserve it when it's something you have the power to do.
28 Say not vnto thy neighbour, Go and come againe, and to morow wil I giue thee, if thou now haue it.
Don't tell your neighbor, “Go away. Come back tomorrow and then I'll give it to you,” when you've already got it.
29 Intend none hurt against thy neighbour, seeing he doeth dwell without feare by thee.
Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
30 Striue not with a man causelesse, when he hath done thee no harme.
Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
31 Bee not enuious for the wicked man, neither chuse any of his wayes.
Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
32 For the frowarde is abomination vnto the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.
For the Lord hates deceitful people, but he is a friend to those who do what is good.
33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.
The houses of the wicked are cursed by the Lord, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.
34 With the scornefull he scorneth, but hee giueth grace vnto the humble.
He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
35 The wise shall inherite glorie: but fooles dishonour, though they be exalted.
The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
