Proverbs 3
1 My son, do not forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments:
My son, don't forget my instructions. Always keep my commands in mind.
2 for length of days, and years of life, and peace, will 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 around 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 So you will find favor, 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 your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Put your trust totally in the Lord—don't rely on what you think you know!
6 In all your ways remember him, and he will make 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 the LORD, and depart from evil.
Don't think you're wise—respect God and avoid evil.
8 It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.
Then you will have healed and be made strong.
9 Honor the LORD with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase:
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all the crops you grow.
10 so your storehouses will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
Then your barns will be filled with produce, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the discipline of the LORD, nor resent his correction.
My son, don't reject the Lord's discipline or resent it when he corrects you,
12 For whom the LORD loves he disciplines, and punishes every son he accepts.
for the Lord corrects those he loves, as a father corrects a son who pleases him.
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.
Happy are those who find wisdom and gain understanding,
14 For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.
for wisdom is worth more than silver, and pays better than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared 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 hand are riches and honor.
She offers long life in one hand, and riches and honor in the other.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
She brings true happiness, and leads to peaceful prosperity.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her, and those who hold on to her are blessed
Wisdom is a tree of life to everyone who embraces her, blessing those who accept her.
19 By wisdom the LORD founded the earth. By understanding, 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 were broken up, and the skies 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 them not depart from your 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 they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.
for they will be life to you, and an ornament for your neck.
23 Then you shall walk in your way securely, and your foot won't stumble.
You will be able to walk confidently on your way, and you won't trip up.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be 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, or of the storm of the wicked when it comes:
You won't be afraid of a sudden panic, or of disasters that hit the wicked,
26 for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your 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 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your 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 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you," when you have it by 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, seeing he dwells securely by 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 done you no harm.
Don't quarrel with anybody for no reason, when they haven't done anything to hurt you.
31 Do not envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.
Don't be jealous of violent people—don't choose to follow their example!
32 For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD, but his friendship is with the upright.
For the Lord hates deceitful people, but he is a friend to those who do what is good.
33 The LORD's curse is in the house of the wicked, but 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 Surely he is scornful to scoffers, but he gives grace to the humble.
He mocks those who mock, but he is kind to the humble.
35 The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.
The wise will receive honor, but fools are held up in disgrace.
