Proverbs 3

NEW JERUSALEM	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 My child, do not forget my teaching, let your heart keep my principles,	1 My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart guard my precepts.
2 since they will increase your length of days, your years of life and your wel -being.	2 For they shall set before you length of days, and years of life, and peace.
3 Let faithful love and constancy never leave you: tie them round your neck, write them on the tablet ofyour heart.	3 Let not mercy and truth abandon you: encircle them around your throat, and inscribe them on the tablets of your heart.
4 Thus you will find favour and success in the sight of God and of people.	4 And so shall you discover grace and good discipline, in the sight of God and men.
5 Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception;	5 Have confidence in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend upon your own prudence.
6 acknowledge him in every course you take, and he wil see that your paths are smooth.	6 In all your ways, consider him, and he himself will direct your steps.
7 Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom, fear Yahweh and turn your back on evil:	7 Do not seem wise to yourself. Fear God, and withdraw from evil.
8 health-giving, this, to your body, relief to your bones.	8 Certainly, it shall be health to your navel, and refreshment to 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 substance, and give to him from the first of all your fruits,
10 then your barns will be fil ed with corn, your vats overflowing with new wine.	10 and then your storehouses will be filled with abundance, and your presses shall overflow with wine.
11 My child, do not scorn correction from Yahweh, do not resent his reproof;	11 My son, do not discard the discipline of the Lord, and do not fall away when you are corrected by him.
12 for Yahweh reproves those he loves, as a father the child whom he loves.	12 For whomever the Lord loves, he corrects, and just as a father does with a son, he wins him over.
13 Blessed are those who have discovered wisdom, those who have acquired understanding!	13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom and who advances to prudence.
14 Gaining her is more rewarding than silver, her yield is more valuable than gold.	14 Her acquisition is better than trading in silver, and her fruit is better than the first and purest gold.
15 She is beyond the price of pearls, nothing you could covet is her equal.	15 She is more precious than all riches, and all that can be desired cannot prevail in comparison to her.
16 In her right hand is length of days; in her left hand, riches and honour.	16 Length of days is at her right hand, and at her left hand is wealth and glory.
17 Her ways are filled with delight, her paths al lead to contentment.	17 Her ways are beautiful ways, and all her paths are peaceful.
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 overtake her, and he who shall take hold of her is blessed.
19 In wisdom, Yahweh laid the earth's foundations, in understanding he spread out the heavens.	19 The Lord founded the earth on wisdom. He secured the heavens with prudence.
20 Through his knowledge the depths were cleft open, and the clouds distil the dew.	20 By his wisdom, the abyss erupted and the clouds increased with dew.
21 My child, hold to sound advice and prudence, never let them out of sight;	21 My son, let not these things move away from your eyes. Preserve law as well as counsel.
22 they wil give life to your soul and beauty to your neck.	22 And so shall there be life in your soul and grace in your voice.
23 You wil go on your way in safety, your feet wil not stumble.	23 Then you shall walk confidently in your way, and your feet will not stumble.
24 When you go to bed, you wil not be afraid; once in bed, your sleep will be sweet.	24 When you slumber, you shall not fear. When you rest, your sleep also will be sweet.
25 Have no fear either of sudden terror or of attack mounted by wicked men,	25 Do not fear unexpected terror, nor the power of the impious falling upon you.
26 since Yahweh will be your guarantor, he wil keep your steps from the snare.	26 For the Lord will be at your side, and he will guard your feet, so that you may not be seized.
27 Refuse no kindness to those who have a right to it, if it is in your power to perform it.	27 Do not prevent him who is able from doing good. When you are able, do good yourself too.
28 Do not say to your neighbour, 'Go away! Come another time! I will give it you tomorrow,' if you can do itnow.	28 Do not say to your friend: “Go away, and then return. Tomorrow I will give to you.” When you are able to do so, give in the present.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbour who is living unsuspecting beside you.	29 Do not undertake evil against your friend, even though he has trust in you.
30 Do not pick a groundless quarrel with anyone who has done you no harm.	30 Do not contend against a man without cause, even though he has done no evil to you.
31 Do not envy the man of violence, never model your conduct on his;	31 Do not rival an unjust man, and do not imitate his ways.
32 for the wilful wrong-doer is abhorrent to Yahweh, who confides only in the honest.	32 For everyone who ridicules is an abomination to the Lord, and his communication is for the simple.
33 Yahweh's curse lies on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.	33 Destitution in the house of the impious is from the Lord. But the habitations of the just shall be blessed.
34 He mocks those who mock, but accords his favour to the humble.	34 He will ridicule those who ridicule, but he will bestow grace upon the mild.
35 Glory is the portion of the wise, all that fools inherit is contempt.	35 The wise will possess glory. The exaltation of the foolish is disgraceful.