1My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, (De 8:1; De 30:16; De 30:20; Pr 1:8)2for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. (Ps 91:16; Ps 119:165; Pr 1:33; Pr 3:16; Pr 4:10; Pr 9:11; Pr 10:27)3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. (Ps 85:10; Pr 1:9; Pr 6:21; Pr 7:3; Pr 20:28; Isa 59:14; Jer 17:1; 2Co 3:3)4So you will find favor and good success[1] in the sight of God and man. (1Sa 2:26; Ps 111:10; Lu 2:52; Ro 14:18)5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. (Ps 37:3; Ps 37:5; Jer 9:23)6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (1Ch 28:9; Ps 73:24)7Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (Job 1:1; Job 28:28; Pr 12:15; Ro 12:16)8It will be healing to your flesh[2] and refreshment[3] to your bones. (Job 21:24; Pr 4:22)9Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; (Ex 23:19; Ex 34:26; De 26:2)10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. (De 28:8)11My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, (Job 5:17; Heb 12:5)12for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. (De 8:5; 1Co 11:32)
Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, (Pr 8:34)14for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. (Job 28:15; Ps 19:10; Pr 8:10; Pr 8:19; Pr 16:16)15She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. (Job 28:18; Pr 8:11)16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. (Pr 3:2; Pr 8:18; Pr 22:4)17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. (Mt 11:29)18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed. (Ge 2:9; Ge 3:22; Pr 4:13; Pr 11:30; Pr 13:12; Pr 15:4; Re 2:7; Re 22:2)19The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; (Ps 104:5; Ps 104:24; Ps 136:5; Pr 8:27)20by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew. (Ge 7:11; Job 36:28; Job 38:8)21My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion, (Pr 4:21)22and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck. (Pr 1:9; Pr 4:22)23Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. (Ps 91:11; Ps 91:12; Pr 4:12; Pr 10:9; Pr 28:18)24If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. (Job 11:19; Ps 3:5; Ps 4:8; Pr 6:22; Jer 31:26)25Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin[4] of the wicked, when it comes, (Job 5:21; Ps 91:5; 1Pe 3:14)26for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught. (1Sa 2:9)27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,[5] when it is in your power to do it. (Ga 6:10)28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you. (Le 19:13; De 24:15)29Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you. (Jud 18:7; Jud 18:27; Pr 6:14; Pr 12:20; Pr 14:22)30Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. (Ro 12:18)31Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, (Ps 18:48; Ps 37:1; Ps 140:1)32for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. (Job 29:4; Pr 2:15)33The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. (Le 26:14; Job 8:6; Ps 37:22; Zec 5:4; Mal 2:2)34Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.[6] (Ps 1:1; Ps 138:6; Jas 4:6; 1Pe 5:5)35The wise will inherit honor, but fools get[7] disgrace.
Proverbs 3
New International Version
Wisdom bestows well-being
1My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,2for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.3Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them round your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.4Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man.5Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;6in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.[1]7Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.8This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.9Honour the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;10then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.11My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,12because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.[2]13Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,14for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.15She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour.17Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.19By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;20by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.21My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;22they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.23Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.24When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.25Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,26for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.28Do not say to your neighbour, ‘Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you’ – when you already have it with you.29Do not plot harm against your neighbour, who lives trustfully near you.30Do not accuse anyone for no reason – when they have done you no harm.31Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.32For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.33The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.34He mocks proud mockers but shows favour to the humble and oppressed.35The wise inherit honour, but fools get only shame.