Proverbs 3
1 My son! Do not forget my law, And let your heart keep my commands,
My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
2 For [the] length of [your] days and years, Life and peace they add to you.
Then you will live a long time, and have a full life.
3 Do not let kindness and truth forsake you, Bind them on your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,
Hold on to kindness and truth. Tie them around your neck; write them in your mind.
4 And find grace and good understanding In the eyes of God and man.
That way you'll gain a good reputation and be appreciated by both God and people.
5 Trust to YHWH with all your heart, And do not lean to your own understanding.
Put your trust totally in the Lord—don't rely on what you think you know!
6 In all your ways know Him, And He makes your paths straight.
Remember him in everything you do, and he'll show you the right way.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes, Fear YHWH, and turn aside from evil.
Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
8 It is healing to your navel, And moistening to your bones.
Then you will have healed and be made strong.
9 Honor YHWH from your substance, And from the beginning of all your increase;
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
10 And your barns are filled [with] plenty, And your presses break forth [with] new wine.
Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 Discipline of YHWH, my son, do not despise, And do not be distressed with His reproof,
My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,
12 For whom YHWH loves He reproves, Even as a father the son He is pleased with.
for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
13 O the blessedness of a man [who] has found wisdom, And of a man [who] brings forth understanding.
Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
14 For better [is] her merchandise Than the merchandise of silver, And than gold—her increase.
for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
15 She [is] precious above rubies, And all your pleasures are not comparable to 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, In her left [are] wealth and honor.
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 those laying hold on her, And whoever is retaining her [is] blessed.
Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.
19 YHWH founded the earth by wisdom, He prepared the heavens by understanding.
It was through wisdom that the Lord created the earth, and through understanding he set the heavens in place.
20 By His knowledge depths have been broken, And clouds drop dew.
It was through his knowledge the waters of the deep were broken open, and the clouds sent down the dew.
21 My son! Do not let them turn from your eyes, Keep wisdom and thoughtfulness,
My son, hold on to good judgment and wise decisions—don't let them out of your sight,
22 And they are life to your soul, and grace to your neck.
for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
23 Then you go your way confidently, And your foot does not stumble.
You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.
24 If you lie down, you are not afraid, Indeed, you have lain down, And your sleep has been sweet.
When you rest, you won't be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear, And of the desolation of the wicked when it comes.
You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,
26 For YHWH is at your side, And He has kept your foot from capture.
for the Lord will be the one you can trust in, and he will prevent you being caught in a trap.
27 Do not withhold good from its owners, When your hand [is] toward God to do [it].
Don't hold back good from those who deserve it when it's something you have the power to do.
28 Do not say to your friend, “Go, and return, and tomorrow I give,” When substance [is] with you.
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 Do not devise evil against your neighbor, And he sitting confidently with you.
Don't plan to harm your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
30 Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has not done you evil.
Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
31 Do not be envious of a man of violence, Nor fix on any of his ways.
Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
32 For the perverted [is] an abomination to YHWH, And His secret counsel [is] with the upright.
For the Lord hates deceitful people, but he is a friend to those who do what is good.
33 The curse of YHWH [is] in the house of the wicked. And He blesses 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 If He scorns the scorners, Yet He gives grace to the humble.
He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
35 The wise inherit glory, And fools are bearing away shame!
The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
