1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.20By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.21My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:22So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.25Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.26For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it .28Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.29Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.30Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.31Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.32For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.34Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.35The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.
Proverbs 3
New International Reader’s Version
More good things come from wisdom
1My son, do not forget my teaching. Keep my commands in your heart.2They will help you live for many years. They will bring you peace and success.3Don’t let love and truth ever leave you. Tie them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.4Then you will find favour and a good name in the eyes of God and people.5Trust in the LORD with all your heart. Do not depend on your own understanding.6In all your ways obey him. Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.7Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Have respect for the LORD and avoid evil.8That will bring health to your body. It will make your bones strong.9Honour the LORD with your wealth. Give him the first share of all your crops.10Then your storerooms will be so full they can’t hold everything. Your huge jars will spill over with fresh wine.11My son, do not hate the LORD’s training. Do not object when he corrects you.12The LORD trains those he loves. He is like a father who trains the son he is pleased with.13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom. Blessed is the one who gains understanding.14Wisdom pays better than silver does. She earns more than gold does.15She is worth more than rubies. Nothing you want can compare with her.16Long life is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honour.17Her ways are pleasant ways. All her paths lead to peace.18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Those who hold her close will be blessed.19By wisdom the LORD laid the earth’s foundations. Through understanding he set the heavens in place.20By his knowledge the seas were separated, and the clouds dropped their dew.21My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight. Hold on to good sense and the understanding of what is right.22They will be life for you. They will be like a gracious necklace around your neck.23Then you will go on your way in safety. You will not trip and fall.24When you lie down, you won’t be afraid. When you lie down, you will sleep soundly.25Don’t be terrified by sudden trouble. Don’t be afraid when sinners are destroyed.26The LORD will be at your side. He will keep your feet from being caught in a trap.27Don’t hold back good from those who are worthy of it. Don’t hold it back when you can help.28Suppose you already have something to give. Don’t say to your neighbour, ‘Come back tomorrow. I’ll give it to you then.’29Don’t plan to harm your neighbour. He lives near you and trusts you.30Don’t bring charges against anyone for no reason. They have not harmed you.31Don’t be jealous of a person who hurts others. Don’t choose any of their ways.32The LORD really hates sinful people. But he makes honest people his closest friends.33The LORD puts a curse on the houses of sinners. But he blesses the homes of those who do what is right.34He makes fun of proud people who make fun of others. But he gives grace to those who are humble and treated badly.35Wise people receive honour. But foolish people get only shame.