3 My child, do not forget what I teach you. Always think carefully about my commands. 2 If you obey them, you will live a long life. You will have peace in your mind. and you will enjoy your life.
3 Keep hold of faithful love. That will be like a beautiful necklace that you always wear. Think about what it means to love other people. 4 If you do that, you will make God happy. People will also be pleased and they will respect you.
5 Trust in the Lord completely. Do not think that you understand things well enough for yourself. 6 Whatever you are doing, remember that the Lord is with you. Then he will show you the right way to go.
7 Do not think that you are already wise enough. Obey the Lord and refuse to do evil things. 8 If you do that, it will make you healthy and strong.
9 Show that you respect the Lord in the way that you use your money. Offer the first part of the harvest from your farm to him. 10 If you do that, you will store more food than you need for yourself. You will have more wine than you can drink.
11 My child, if the Lord warns you that you have done something wrong, accept it. Do not be upset if he warns you. 12 He is doing it because he loves you. When a father loves his son very much, he warns him when he does something wrong.
13 Anyone who finds wisdom is in a happy place! So is the person who has learned to understand things.
14 Wisdom helps people better than silver or gold will ever help them.
15 Wisdom is more valuable than the most expensive jewels.
Nothing that you might want for yourself is as good as wisdom.
16 Wisdom is ready to give you a long life. She will also give you riches and honour. [ a ]
17 Wisdom will be your guide through a happy life. She will lead you in ways that keep you safe. 18 Wisdom is like a tree with fruits that give life to the people who pick them. The Lord blesses everyone who keeps hold of wisdom.
19 The Lord used wisdom to create the earth. He understood the right way to create the heavens. 20 He used his knowledge to pour water from under the earth into the rivers and seas. He caused the clouds to send down rain.
21 My child, always keep hold of wisdom and a good mind. Make sure that you keep them safe. 22 They will give you strength in life. You will enjoy life, like a beautiful necklace that you wear.
23 You will be safe as you travel through life. There will be no danger to make you fall down. 24 When you lie down to sleep, you will not be afraid. You will sleep well with peace in your mind. 25 You will not be frightened of any trouble that might surprise you. Trouble may destroy wicked people, but you will know that you are safe. 26 The Lord is the one who will take care of you. He will protect you, so that no danger can hurt you.
27 Do not refuse to help those people who need help. If you are able to help them, do it! 28 If you can give your neighbour the help that he needs, do not say to him, ‘Go away! Come back tomorrow, and then I will help you.’
29 Do not think of ways to hurt your neighbour. You should help him to trust you.
30 Do not quarrel with other people if they have done nothing to hurt you. You have no reason to accuse them of anything wrong.
31 Do not be jealous of cruel people. Do not try to copy the things that they do. 32 The Lord hates wicked people. But he makes righteous people his friends.
33 The Lord curses the homes of wicked people, but he blesses the homes of righteous people. 34 The Lord laughs at proud people who laugh at other people. But he is kind to humble people.
35 Wise people will receive honour. But fools will only have shame.
3 My son, don’t forget my teaching. Remember what I tell you to do. 2 What I teach will give you a good, long life, and all will go well for you.
3 Don’t ever let love and loyalty leave you. Tie them around your neck, and write them on your heart. 4 Then God will be pleased and think well of you and so will everyone else.
5 Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6 With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7 Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. 8 If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and the first part of your harvest. 10 Then your barns will be full of grain, and your barrels will be overflowing with wine.
11 My son, don’t reject the Lord ’s discipline, and don’t be angry when he corrects you. 12 The Lord corrects the one he loves, just as a father corrects a child he cares about.
13 Those who find wisdom are fortunate; they will be blessed when they gain understanding. 14 Profit that comes from wisdom is better than silver and even the finest gold. 15 Wisdom is worth more than fine jewels. Nothing you desire has more value.
16 With her right hand, Wisdom offers long life—with the other hand, riches and honor. 17 Wisdom will lead you to a life of joy and peace. 18 Wisdom is like a life-giving tree to those who hold on to her; she is a blessing to those who keep her close.
19 With wisdom and understanding, the Lord created the earth and sky. 20 With his knowledge, he made the oceans and the clouds that produce rain.
21 My son, don’t ever let wisdom out of your sight. Hold on to wisdom and careful planning. 22 They will bring you a long life filled with honor. 23 As you go through life, you will always be safe and never fall. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. When you rest, your sleep will be peaceful. 25 You have no reason to fear a sudden disaster or the destruction that comes to the wicked. 26 You can trust the Lord to protect you. He will not let you fall into harm.
27 Do everything you possibly can for those who need help. 28 If your neighbor needs something you have, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow.” Give it to him immediately.
29 Don’t make plans to harm your neighbor, who lives near you and trusts you. [ a ]
30 Don’t take people to court without good reason, especially when they have done nothing to harm you.
31 Don’t envy those who are violent. Never choose to be like them. 32 Such crooked people are disgusting to the Lord . But he is a friend to those who are good and honest.
33 The Lord curses a wicked family, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.
34 He will humiliate those who make fun of others, but he is kind to those who are humble.
35 The way the wise live will bring them honor, but the way fools live will bring them shame.
3 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord , and depart from evil.
8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
9 Honour the Lord with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
11 My son, despise not the chastening of the Lord ; neither be weary of his correction:
12 For whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
19 The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
26 For the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
32 For the froward is abomination to the Lord : but his secret is with the righteous.
33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
3 My son, ( A ) do not forget my [ a ] teaching,
But have your heart ( B ) comply with my commandments;
2 For ( C ) length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
3 Do not let ( D ) kindness and truth leave you;
( E ) Bind them around your neck,
( F ) Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will ( G ) find favor and a ( H ) good [ b ] reputation
In the sight of God and man.
5 ( I ) Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And ( J ) do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways ( K ) acknowledge Him,
And He will ( L ) make your paths straight.
7 ( M ) Do not be wise in your own eyes;
( N ) Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 It will be ( O ) healing to your [ c ] body
And ( P ) refreshment to your bones.
9 ( Q ) Honor the Lord from your wealth,
And from the ( R ) first of all your produce;
10 Then your ( S ) barns will be filled with plenty,
And your ( T ) vats will overflow with new wine.
11 ( U ) My son, do not reject the [ d ] discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His rebuke,
12 For ( V ) whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
Just ( W ) as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.
13 ( X ) Blessed is a person who finds wisdom,
And one who obtains understanding.
14 For [ e ] her ( Y ) profit is better than the profit of silver,
And her produce better than gold.
15 She is ( Z ) more precious than [ f ] jewels,
And nothing you desire compares with her.
16 [ g ] ( AA ) Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are ( AB ) riches and honor.
17 Her ( AC ) ways are pleasant ways,
And all her paths are ( AD ) peace.
18 She is a ( AE ) tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are those who hold on to her.
19 The Lord founded the earth ( AF ) by wisdom,
He ( AG ) established the heavens by understanding.
20 By His knowledge the ( AH ) ocean depths were burst open,
And the ( AI ) clouds drip with dew.
21 My son, see that ( AJ ) they do not escape from your sight;
Comply with sound wisdom and discretion,
22 And they will be ( AK ) life to your soul
And ( AL ) adornment to your neck.
23 Then you will ( AM ) walk in your way securely,
And your foot will not ( AN ) stumble.
24 When you ( AO ) lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 ( AP ) Do not be afraid of sudden danger,
Nor of ( AQ ) trouble from the wicked when it comes;
26 For the Lord will be [ h ] your confidence,
And will ( AR ) keep your foot from being caught.
27 ( AS ) Do not withhold good from [ i ] those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it .
28 ( AT ) Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it to you ,”
When you have it with you.
29 ( AU ) Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
30 ( AV ) Do not contend with a person for no reason,
If he has done you no harm.
31 ( AW ) Do not envy a violent person,
And do not choose any of his ways.
32 For the ( AX ) devious are an abomination to the Lord ;
But [ j ] He is ( AY ) intimate with the upright.
33 The ( AZ ) curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He ( BA ) blesses the home of the righteous.
34 Though ( BB ) He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet ( BC ) He gives grace to the needy.
35 ( BD ) The wise will inherit honor,
But fools [ k ] increase dishonor.
3 My son, ( A ) do not forget my teaching, ( B )
but keep my commands in your heart,
2 for they will prolong your life many years ( C )
and bring you peace and prosperity. ( D )
3 Let love and faithfulness ( E ) never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart. ( F )
4 Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man. ( G )
5 Trust in the Lord ( H ) with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths ( I ) straight. [ a ] ( J )
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; ( K )
fear the Lord ( L ) and shun evil. ( M )
8 This will bring health to your body ( N )
and nourishment to your bones. ( O )
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits ( P ) of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled ( Q ) to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine. ( R )
11 My son, ( S ) do not despise the Lord ’s discipline, ( T )
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, ( U )
as a father the son he delights in. [ b ] ( V )
13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold. ( W )
15 She is more precious than rubies; ( X )
nothing you desire can compare with her. ( Y )
16 Long life is in her right hand; ( Z )
in her left hand are riches and honor. ( AA )
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace. ( AB )
18 She is a tree of life ( AC ) to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed. ( AD )
19 By wisdom ( AE ) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, ( AF )
by understanding he set the heavens ( AG ) in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, ( AH ) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, ( AI )
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you, ( AJ )
an ornament to grace your neck. ( AK )
23 Then you will go on your way in safety, ( AL )
and your foot will not stumble. ( AM )
24 When you lie down, ( AN ) you will not be afraid; ( AO )
when you lie down, your sleep ( AP ) will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side ( AQ )
and will keep your foot ( AR ) from being snared. ( AS )
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
when you already have it with you. ( AT )
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you. ( AU )
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
when they have done you no harm.
31 Do not envy ( AV ) the violent
or choose any of their ways.
32 For the Lord detests the perverse ( AW )
but takes the upright into his confidence. ( AX )
33 The Lord ’s curse ( AY ) is on the house of the wicked, ( AZ )
but he blesses the home of the righteous. ( BA )
34 He mocks ( BB ) proud mockers ( BC )
but shows favor to the humble ( BD ) and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools get only shame.
