Proverbs 3

₁My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments,

₂for length of days and years of life

and peace they will add to you.

₃Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

₄So you will find favor and good success

in the sight of God and man.

₅Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

and do not lean on your own understanding.

₆In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

₇Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

₈It will be healing to your flesh

and refreshment to your bones.

₉Honor the Lord with your wealth

and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

₁₀then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will be bursting with wine.

₁₁My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline

or be weary of his reproof,

₁₂for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,

as a father the son in whom he delights.

₁₃Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,

and the one who gets understanding,

₁₄for the gain from her is better than gain from silver

and her profit better than gold.

₁₅She is more precious than jewels,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

₁₆Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

₁₇Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

₁₈She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

those who hold her fast are called blessed.

₁₉The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;

by understanding he established the heavens;

₂₀by his knowledge the deeps broke open,

and the clouds drop down the dew.

₂₁My son, do not lose sight of these—

keep sound wisdom and discretion,

₂₂and they will be life for your soul

and adornment for your neck.

₂₃Then you will walk on your way securely,

and your foot will not stumble.

₂₄If you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

₂₅Do not be afraid of sudden terror

or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,

₂₆for the Lord will be your confidence

and will keep your foot from being caught.

₂₇Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

when it is in your power to do it.

₂₈Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,

tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

₂₉Do not plan evil against your neighbor,

who dwells trustingly beside you.

₃₀Do not contend with a man for no reason,

when he has done you no harm.

₃₁Do not envy a man of violence

and do not choose any of his ways,

₃₂for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,

but the upright are in his confidence.

₃₃The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,

but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

₃₄Toward the scorners he is scornful,

but to the humble he gives favor.

₃₅The wise will inherit honor,

but fools get disgrace.