Proverbs

¹ My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments;

² for they will add length to your days,

years and peace to your life.

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

bind them around your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Then you will find favor and high regard

in the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶ in all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight.

⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

⁸ This will bring healing to your body ^[b]

and refreshment ^[c] to your bones.

⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth

and with the firstfruits of all your harvest;

¹⁰ then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will overflow with new wine.

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

and do not loathe His rebuke; ^[d]

¹² for the LORD disciplines the one He loves,

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

¹³ Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,

the man who acquires understanding,

¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver,

and her gain is better than fine gold.

¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;

nothing you desire compares with her.

¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

¹⁷ All her ways are pleasant,

and all her paths are peaceful.

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

and those who lay hold of her are blessed.

¹⁹ The LORD founded the earth by wisdom

and established the heavens by understanding.

²⁰ By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open,

and the clouds dripped with dew.

²¹ My son, do not lose sight of this:

Preserve sound judgment and discernment.

²² They will be life to your soul

and adornment to your neck.

²³ Then you will go on your way in safety,

and your foot will not stumble.

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

when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.

²⁵ Do not fear sudden danger

or the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

²⁶ for the LORD will be your confidence

and will keep your foot from the snare.

²⁷ Do not withhold good from the deserving ^[f]

when it is within your power to act.

²⁸ Do not tell your neighbor,

“Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—

when you already have the means.

²⁹ Do not devise evil against your neighbor,

for he trustfully dwells beside you.

³⁰ Do not accuse a man without cause,

when he has done you no harm.

³¹ Do not envy a violent man

or choose any of his ways;

³² for the LORD detests the perverse,

but He is a friend to the upright.

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

but He blesses the home of the righteous.

³⁴ He mocks the mockers,

but gives grace to the humble. ^[g]

³⁵ The wise will inherit honor,

but fools are held up to shame.