Proverbs 3:1–35

¹My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments;

²for they will add length to your days,

years and peace to your life.

³Never let loving devotion^a or faithfulness leave you;

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴Then you will find favor and high regard

in the sight of God and man.

⁵Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.

⁷Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

⁸This will bring healing to your body^b

and refreshment^c to your bones.

⁹Honor the LORD with your wealth

and with the firstfruits of all your crops;

¹⁰then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will overflow with new wine.

¹¹My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD,

and do not loathe His rebuke;^d

¹²for the LORD disciplines the one He loves,

as does a father the son in whom he delights.^e

¹³Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,

the man who acquires understanding,

¹⁴for she is more profitable than silver,

and her gain is better than fine gold.

¹⁵She is more precious than rubies;

nothing you desire compares with her.

¹⁶Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

¹⁷All her ways are pleasant,

and all her paths are peaceful.

¹⁸She is a tree of life to those who embrace her,

and those who lay hold of her are blessed.

¹⁹The LORD founded the earth by wisdom

and established the heavens by understanding.

²⁰By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open,

and the clouds dripped with dew.

²¹My son, do not lose sight of this:

Preserve sound judgment and discernment.

²²They will be life to your soul

and adornment to your neck.

²³Then you will go on your way in safety,

and your foot will not stumble.

²⁴When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.

²⁵Do not fear sudden danger

or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

²⁶for the LORD will be your confidence

and will keep your foot from the snare.

²⁷Do not withhold good from the deserving^f

when it is within your power to act.

²⁸Do not tell your neighbor,

“Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—

when you already have the means.

²⁹Do not devise evil against your neighbor,

for he trustfully dwells beside you.

³⁰Do not accuse a man without cause,

when he has done you no harm.

³¹Do not envy a violent man

or choose any of his ways;

³²for the LORD detests the perverse,

but He is a friend to the upright.

³³The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,

but He blesses the home of the righteous.

³⁴He mocks the mockers,

but gives grace to the humble.^g

³⁵The wise will inherit honor,

but fools are held up to shame.