Proverbs 3

1 My son, do not forget what I have taught you. Keep my commands in your inner being,

My son, keep my teaching in your memory, and my rules in your heart:

2 because [if you obey them] you will live a long time and things will go well for you

For they will give you increase of days, years of life, and peace.

3 Always faithfully love others and (be faithful/do what you say that you will do); doing those things [will cause others to be pleased with you]; it will be as though you are wearing a beautiful necklace. Keep those things in your mind/inner being.

Let not mercy and good faith go from you; let them be hanging round your neck, recorded on your heart;

4 If you do, God and people will approve of you and think highly of you [MTY].

So you will have grace and a good name in the eyes of God and men.

5 Trust in Yahweh completely, and do not rely on what you yourself understand.

Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support.

6 Always allow him to lead you. If you do that, he will (show you the right path/direct your life).

In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.

7 Do not be proud of being wise. [Instead], revere Yahweh and turn away from doing evil.

Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil:

8 If you do that, your body will be healthy/strong; it will be [like] medicine for you.

This will give strength to your flesh, and new life to your bones.

9 Honor Yahweh by [what you do with] your money; and [by giving him] the first part of your harvest.

Give honour to the Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase:

10 If you do that, [you will have a good harvest]. Yahweh will fill your barns [with grain], and your vats/containers will be overflowing with [grape juice for making] wine.

So your store-houses will be full of grain, and your vessels overflowing with new wine.

11 My son, when Yahweh disciplines/corrects you, do not despise it, and if he rebukes you, do not resent it.

My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's teaching; do not be made angry by his training:

12 [I say that] because it is the people whom Yahweh loves that he corrects/reproves, [just] like parents correct/reprove their sons whom they love.

For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain.

13 [Yahweh] is pleased with those who become wise and have good understanding.

Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge.

14 Being wise and having good understanding is worth more than silver, better than gold.

For trading in it is better than trading in silver, and its profit greater than bright gold.

15 Being wise is more precious than (jewels/precious stones); there is nothing that you could desire [that would be as valuable] as wisdom.

She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her.

16 On the one hand, wisdom [PRS] enables [you] to live a long life, and on the other hand, wisdom enables [you] to become rich and to be honored.

Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour.

17 If [you] are wise, [your] life will be pleasant, and things will go well [for you].

Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace.

18 Wisdom is [like] a tree that gives long life to those who [eagerly] take hold of it, and [Yahweh] is pleased with those who hold onto it tightly.

She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her.

19 By his wisdom Yahweh created the earth, and by his understanding he put everything in the skies.

The Lord by wisdom put in position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their place.

20 By his knowledge [he caused] the water that was beneath the earth to burst forth, and he caused rain to fall from the clouds.

By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from the skies.

21 My son, [always] keep doing things that are right and things that are smart. If you do that,

My son, keep good sense, and do not let wise purpose go from your eyes.

22 you will live [many years] and be honored and respected {people will honor and respect you}.

So they will be life for your soul, and grace for your neck.

23 If you do what is right and wise, you will [be able to] walk safely, and you will not (stumble/do things that are wrong) [MET].

Then you will go safely on your way, and your feet will have no cause for slipping.

24 You will [be able to] lie down [at night] and not be afraid [of anything], and you will sleep peacefully.

When you take your rest you will have no fear, and on your bed sleep will be sweet to you.

25 You will not be afraid that something disastrous will happen to you or that storms that strike the wicked will strike you,

Have no fear of sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers:

26 because you will be confident that Yahweh [will take care of you]. He will not let your foot be caught in a trap/snare.

For the Lord will be your hope, and will keep your foot from being taken in the net.

27 If you are able to help people who deserve it, do not refuse to help them.

Do not keep back good from those who have a right to it, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

28 If you are able to help someone you interact with, do not say, “Come back later; [perhaps] I can help you tomorrow.”

Say not to your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you at the time.

29 Do not make plans to harm those you interact with regularly, [because] they live near you, and they trust you.

Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is living with you without fear.

30 If someone has not harmed you, do not accuse him [by saying that he has harmed you].

Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong.

31 Do not envy people who [obtain things by] violent actions, and do not imitate/do what they do.

Have no envy of the violent man, or take any of his ways as an example.

32 [I say that] because Yahweh considers such people to be abominable/detestable; but he is a friend to [all] those who do what is right.

For the wrong-hearted man is hated by the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright.

33 Yahweh curses the families [MTY] of those who are wicked, but he blesses the families of those who are good/righteous.

The curse of the Lord is on the house of the evil-doer, but his blessing is on the tent of the upright.

34 Yahweh makes fun of those who make fun [of others], but he kindly helps those who are humble.

He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted.

35 Wise [people] will be honored {people will honor wise people}, but foolish people will be dishonored/disgraced.

The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish.