Proverbs 3

¹ My son, do not forget my teaching,
and let your heart keep my commands,

² for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.

³ Let loyalty and faithfulness not leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ So you will find favor and good regard
in the eyes of God and of humankind.

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.

⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

⁸ It will be healing for your flesh
and refreshment for your bones.

⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

¹⁰ then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will burst with new wine.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline,
and do not loathe his rebuke,

¹² for the LORD reproves the one he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.

¹³ Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who obtains understanding,

¹⁴ for her profit is better than the profit of silver,
and her yield than fine gold.

¹⁵ She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.

¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.

¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.

¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.

¹⁹ The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens.

²⁰ By his knowledge the deeps burst open,
and the clouds drip down dew.

²¹ My son, do not let them slip from your sight;
keep sound wisdom and discretion,

²² and they will be life for your soul
and grace for your neck.

²³ Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.

²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.

²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked when it comes,

²⁶ for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.

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, "Go and come back,
and tomorrow I will give it"—when you have it with you.

²⁹ Do not plot harm against your neighbor
who dwells trustingly beside you.

³⁰ Do not quarrel with anyone without cause,
if they have done you no harm.

³¹ Do not envy a violent man,
and do not choose any of his ways,

³² for the devious are an abomination to the LORD,
but his intimate counsel is with the upright.

³³ The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

³⁴ Toward the scoffers he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favor.

³⁵ The wise will inherit honor,
but fools carry away disgrace.