Proverbs 3

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 My child, do not forget my teaching, let your heart keep my principles,	1 My son, forget not my teaching, keep in mind my commands;
2 since they will increase your length of days, your years of life and your wel -being.	2 For many days, and years of life, and peace, will they bring you.
3 Let faithful love and constancy never leave you: tie them round your neck, write them on the tablet ofyour heart.	3 Let not kindness and fidelity leave you; bind them around your neck;
4 Thus you will find favour and success in the sight of God and of people.	4 Then will you win favor and good esteem before God and man.
5 Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception;	5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not;
6 acknowledge him in every course you take, and he wil see that your paths are smooth.	6 In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom, fear Yahweh and turn your back on evil:	7 Be not wise in your own eyes, fear the LORD and turn away from evil;
8 health-giving, this, to your body, relief to your bones.	8 This will mean health for your flesh and vigor for your bones.
9 Honour Yahweh with what goods you have and with the first-fruits of al your produce;	9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with first fruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be fil ed with corn, your vats overflowing with new wine.	10 Then will your barns be filled with grain, with new wine your vats will overflow.
11 My child, do not scorn correction from Yahweh, do not resent his reproof;	11 The discipline of the LORD, my son, disdain not; spurn not his reproof;
12 for Yahweh reproves those he loves, as a father the child whom he loves.	12 For whom the LORD loves he reproves, and he chastises the son he favors.
13 Blessed are those who have discovered wisdom, those who have acquired understanding!	13 Happy the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding!
14 Gaining her is more rewarding than silver, her yield is more valuable than gold.	14 For her profit is better than profit in silver, and better than gold is her revenue;
15 She is beyond the price of pearls, nothing you could covet is her equal.	15 She is more precious than corals, and none of your choice possessions can compare with her.
16 In her right hand is length of days; in her left hand, riches and honour.	16 Long life is in her right hand, in her left are riches and honor;
17 Her ways are filled with delight, her paths al lead to contentment.	17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace;
18 She is a tree of life for those who hold her fast, those who cling to her live happy lives.	18 She is a tree of life to those who grasp her, and he is happy who holds her fast.
19 In wisdom, Yahweh laid the earth's foundations, in understanding he spread out the heavens.	19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, established the heavens by understanding;
20 Through his knowledge the depths were cleft open, and the clouds distil the dew.	20 By his knowledge the depths break open, and the clouds drop down dew.
21 My child, hold to sound advice and prudence, never let them out of sight;	21 My son, let not these slip out of your sight: keep advice and counsel in view;
22 they wil give life to your soul and beauty to your neck.	22 So will they be life to your soul, and an adornment for your neck.
23 You wil go on your way in safety, your feet wil not stumble.	23 Then you may securely go your way; your foot will never stumble;
24 When you go to bed, you wil not be afraid; once in bed, your sleep will be sweet.	24 When you lie down, you need not be afraid, when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear either of sudden terror or of attack mounted by wicked men,	25 Be not afraid of sudden terror, of the ruin of the wicked when it comes;
26 since Yahweh will be your guarantor, he wil keep your steps from the snare.	26 For the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from the snare.
27 Refuse no kindness to those who have a right to it, if it is in your power to perform it.	27 Refuse no one the good on which he has a claim when it is in your power to do it for him.
28 Do not say to your neighbour, 'Go away! Come another time! I will give it you tomorrow,' if you can do itnow.	28 Say not to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give," when you can give at once.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbour who is living unsuspecting beside you.	29 Plot no evil against your neighbor, against him who lives at peace with you.
30 Do not pick a groundless quarrel with anyone who has done you no harm.	30 Quarrel not with a man without cause, with one who has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the man of violence, never model your conduct on his;	31 Envy not the lawless man and choose none of his ways:
32 for the wilful wrong-doer is abhorrent to Yahweh, who confides only in the honest.	32 To the LORD the perverse man is an abomination, but with the upright is his friendship.
33 Yahweh's curse lies on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.	33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but the dwelling of the just he blesses;
34 He mocks those who mock, but accords his favour to the humble.	34 When he is dealing with the arrogant, he is stern, but to the humble he shows kindness.
35 Glory is the portion of the wise, all that fools inherit is contempt.	35 Honor is the possession of wise men, but fools inherit shame.