Proverbs 3

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

My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments:

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

For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you.

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 truth forsake you: bind them about your neck; write them upon the table of your heart:

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

So shall you find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

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

Trust in the LORD with all of your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding.

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 acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths.

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

Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

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

It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones.

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

Honour the LORD with your substance, and with the first-fruits of all of 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 shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out 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, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

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 whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights.

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

Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding.

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

For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine 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 more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared unto 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.

Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

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

Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths 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 them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retains her.

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

The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has he established the heavens.

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 depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

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

My son, let not them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

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

So shall they be life unto your soul, and grace to 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 shall you walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble.

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

When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: yea, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.

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

Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes.

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 shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken.

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

Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, 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 unto your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you.

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

Devise not evil against your neighbour, seeing he dwells securely by you.

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

Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done you no harm.

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

Envy you not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

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 perverse is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

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 in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the habitation of the just.

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

Surely he scorns the scorners: but he gives grace unto the lowly.

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

The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.