Add parallel Print Page Options

¶ My son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments:

For they shall add length of days and long life and peace unto thee.

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck; write them upon the tablet of thine heart:

So shalt thou find grace and good favour in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.

In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.

It shall be medicine to thy navel and marrow to thy bones.

Honour the LORD with thy substance and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

12 For the LORD chastens whom he loves and delights in, even as a father to his son.

13 ¶ Blessed is the man that has found wisdom and who brings to light intelligence,

14 for the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver and the fruits thereof more than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than precious stones, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand and in her left hand riches and honour.

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

18 She is a tree of life to those that lay hold upon her, and blessed is every one that retains her.

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

20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the heavens drop down the dew.

21 ¶ My son, do not let them depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22 so shall they be life unto thy soul and grace to thy neck.

23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

25 Thou shall not be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked when it comes.

26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

27 ¶ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

28 Do not say unto thy neighbour, Go and come again and tomorrow I will give when thou hast it by thee.

29 Do not devise evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwells securely by thee.

30 Do not sue a man without cause, if he has done thee no harm.

31 Envy thou not the oppressor and choose none of his ways.

32 For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD; but his secret is with the righteous.

33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked, but he shall bless the habitation of the just.

34 Surely he scorns the scorners; but he gives grace unto the humble.

35 The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

My son,(A) do not forget my teaching,(B)
    but keep my commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years(C)
    and bring you peace and prosperity.(D)

Let love and faithfulness(E) never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.(F)
Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.(G)

Trust in the Lord(H) with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths(I) straight.[a](J)

Do not be wise in your own eyes;(K)
    fear the Lord(L) and shun evil.(M)
This will bring health to your body(N)
    and nourishment to your bones.(O)

Honor the Lord with your wealth,
    with the firstfruits(P) of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled(Q) to overflowing,
    and your vats will brim over with new wine.(R)

11 My son,(S) do not despise the Lord’s discipline,(T)
    and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,(U)
    as a father the son he delights in.[b](V)

13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.(W)
15 She is more precious than rubies;(X)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.(Y)
16 Long life is in her right hand;(Z)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.(AA)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.(AB)
18 She is a tree of life(AC) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.(AD)

19 By wisdom(AE) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,(AF)
    by understanding he set the heavens(AG) in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
    and the clouds let drop the dew.

21 My son,(AH) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,(AI)
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,(AJ)
    an ornament to grace your neck.(AK)
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,(AL)
    and your foot will not stumble.(AM)
24 When you lie down,(AN) you will not be afraid;(AO)
    when you lie down, your sleep(AP) will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side(AQ)
    and will keep your foot(AR) from being snared.(AS)

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,
    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.(AT)
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
    who lives trustfully near you.(AU)
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
    when they have done you no harm.

31 Do not envy(AV) the violent
    or choose any of their ways.

32 For the Lord detests the perverse(AW)
    but takes the upright into his confidence.(AX)
33 The Lord’s curse(AY) is on the house of the wicked,(AZ)
    but he blesses the home of the righteous.(BA)
34 He mocks(BB) proud mockers(BC)
    but shows favor to the humble(BD) and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
    but fools get only shame.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:6 Or will direct your paths
  2. Proverbs 3:12 Hebrew; Septuagint loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child