Proverbs 3
1 My son, do not forget my commands and keep my teachings in your heart,
My son, do not forget what I have taught you. Keep my commands in your inner being,
2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
because [if you obey them] you will live a long time and things will go well for you
3 Do not let covenant faithfulness and trustworthiness ever leave you, tie them together about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
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.
4 Then you will find favor and a good reputation in the sight of God and man.
If you do, God and people will approve of you and think highly of you [MTY].
5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding;
Trust in Yahweh completely, and do not rely on what you yourself understand.
6 in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.
Always allow him to lead you. If you do that, he will (show you the right path/direct your life).
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahweh and turn away from evil.
Do not be proud of being wise. [Instead], revere Yahweh and turn away from doing evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment for your body.
If you do that, your body will be healthy/strong; it will be [like] medicine for you.
9 Honor Yahweh with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce,
Honor Yahweh by [what you do with] your money; and [by giving him] the first part of your harvest.
10 and your storehouses will be filled up and your vats will be bursting, full of new wine.
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.
11 My son, do not despise Yahweh's instruction and do not hate his rebuke,
My son, when Yahweh disciplines/corrects you, do not despise it, and if he rebukes you, do not resent it.
12 for Yahweh disciplines those he loves, as a father deals with a son who pleases him.
[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.
13 The one who finds wisdom is blessed; he also gets understanding.
[Yahweh] is pleased with those who become wise and have good understanding.
14 What you gain from wisdom is better than what silver will give in return and its profit is better than gold.
Being wise and having good understanding is worth more than silver, better than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than jewels and nothing you desire can compare to her.
Being wise is more precious than (jewels/precious stones); there is nothing that you could desire [that would be as valuable] as wisdom.
16 She has length of days in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
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.
17 Her ways are ways of kindness and all her paths are peace.
If [you] are wise, [your] life will be pleasant, and things will go well [for you].
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of it, those who hold on to it are happy.
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.
19 By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth, by understanding he established the heavens.
By his wisdom Yahweh created the earth, and by his understanding he put everything in the skies.
20 By his knowledge the depths broke open and the clouds dropped their dew.
By his knowledge [he caused] the water that was beneath the earth to burst forth, and he caused rain to fall from the clouds.
21 My son, keep sound judgment and discernment, and do not lose sight of them.
My son, [always] keep doing things that are right and things that are smart. If you do that,
22 They will be life to your soul and an adornment of favor to wear around your neck.
you will live [many years] and be honored and respected {people will honor and respect you}.
23 Then you will walk on your way in safety and your foot will not stumble;
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].
24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
You will [be able to] lie down [at night] and not be afraid [of anything], and you will sleep peacefully.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or devastation caused by the wicked, when it comes,
You will not be afraid that something disastrous will happen to you or that storms that strike the wicked will strike you,
26 for Yahweh will be on your side and will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
because you will be confident that Yahweh [will take care of you]. He will not let your foot be caught in a trap/snare.
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
If you are able to help people who deserve it, do not refuse to help them.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give it,” when you have the money with you.
If you are able to help someone you interact with, do not say, “Come back later; [perhaps] I can help you tomorrow.”
29 Do not make a plan to harm your neighbor— the one who lives close and trusts you.
Do not make plans to harm those you interact with regularly, [because] they live near you, and they trust you.
30 Do not argue with a person without a reason, when he has done nothing to harm you.
If someone has not harmed you, do not accuse him [by saying that he has harmed you].
31 Do not envy a violent person or choose any of his ways.
Do not envy people who [obtain things by] violent actions, and do not imitate/do what they do.
32 For the devious person is detestable to Yahweh, but he brings the upright person into his confidence.
[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.
33 The curse of Yahweh is on the house of the wicked person, but he blesses the home of righteous people.
Yahweh curses the families [MTY] of those who are wicked, but he blesses the families of those who are good/righteous.
34 He mocks mockers, but he gives his favor to humble people.
Yahweh makes fun of those who make fun [of others], but he kindly helps those who are humble.
35 Wise people inherit honor, but fools will be lifted up in their shame.
Wise [people] will be honored {people will honor wise people}, but foolish people will be dishonored/disgraced.
