Proverbs 3

¹ My son, forget not my teaching, keep in mind my commands;

² For many days, and years of life, and peace, will they bring you.

³ Let not kindness and fidelity leave you; bind them around your neck;

⁴ Then will you win favor and good esteem before God and man.

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not;

⁶ In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.

⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and turn away from evil;

⁸ This will mean health for your flesh and vigor for your bones.

⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth, with first fruits of all your produce;

¹⁰ Then will your barns be filled with grain, with new wine your vats will overflow.

¹¹ The discipline of the LORD, my son, disdain not; spurn not his reproof;

¹² For whom the LORD loves he reproves, and he chastises the son he favors.

¹³ Happy the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding!

¹⁴ For her profit is better than profit in silver, and better than gold is her revenue;

¹⁵ She is more precious than corals, and none of your choice possessions can compare with her.

¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand, in her left 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 grasp her, and he is happy who holds her fast.

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

²⁰ By his knowledge the depths break open, and the clouds drop down dew.

²¹ My son, let not these slip out of your sight: keep advice and counsel in view;

²² So will they be life to your soul, and an adornment for your neck.

²³ Then you may securely go your way; your foot will never stumble;

²⁴ When you lie down, you need not be afraid, when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.

²⁵ Be not afraid of sudden terror, of the ruin of the wicked when it comes;

²⁶ For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from the snare.

²⁷ Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him.

²⁸ Say not to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give," when you can give at once.

²⁹ Plot no evil against your neighbor, against him who lives at peace with you.

³⁰ Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm.

³¹ Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways:

³² To the LORD the perverse man is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship.

³³ The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses;

³⁴ When he is dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness.

³⁵ Honor is the possession of wise men, but fools inherit shame.