1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart, |
2 for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity. |
3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart. |
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man. |
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding; |
6 in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.1 3:6 Or will direct your paths |
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and shun evil. |
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones. |
9 Honor the LORD with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops; |
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine. |
11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
and do not resent his rebuke, |
12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
as a father2 3:12 Hebrew; Septuagint / and he punishes the son he delights in. |
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding, |
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold. |
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her. |
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor. |
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace. |
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who lay hold of her will be blessed. |
19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place; |
20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew. |
21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment,
do not let them out of your sight; |
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck. |
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble; |
24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. |
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, |
26 for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being snared. |
27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act. |
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
"Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"-
when you now have it with you. |
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you. |
30 Do not accuse a man for no reason-
when he has done you no harm. |
31 Do not envy a violent man
or choose any of his ways, |
32 for the LORD detests a perverse man
but takes the upright into his confidence. |
33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous. |
34 He mocks proud mockers
but gives grace to the humble. |
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools he holds up to shame. |
