Proverbs 3
1 MY son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
Then you will live a long time, and have a full life.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon 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 find favour and good understanding 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 lean not unto thine own understanding.
Put your trust totally in the Lord—don't rely on what you think you know!
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.
Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
Then you will have healed and be made strong.
9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:
My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,
12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
She is more valuable than rubies—everything you could ever want just doesn't compare!
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
She brings true happiness, and leads to peaceful prosperity.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.
19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.
20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
It was through his knowledge the waters of the deep were broken open, and the clouds sent down the dew.
21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
My son, hold on to good judgment and wise decisions—don't let them out of your sight,
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.
24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
When you rest, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,
26 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
for the Lord will be the one you can trust in, and he will prevent you being caught in a trap.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
Don't hold back good from those who deserve it when it's something you have the power to do.
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
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 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
32 For the froward is abomination to 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 just.
The houses of the wicked are cursed by the Lord, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.
34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
