Chapter 3
1 My son , don’t forget my teaching , but let your heart keep my commandments ,
2 for they will add to you length of days , years of life , and peace .
3 Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you . Bind them around your neck . Write them on the tablet of your heart .
4 So you will find favor , and good understanding in the sight of God and man .
5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart , and don’t lean on your own understanding .
6 In all your ways acknowledge him , and he will make your paths straight .
7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes . Fear Yahweh , and depart from evil .
8 It will be health to your body , and nourishment to your bones .
9 Honor Yahweh with your substance , with the first fruits of all your increase ;
10 so your barns will be filled with plenty , and your vats will overflow with new wine .
11 My son , don’t despise Yahweh ’s discipline , neither be weary of his correction ;
12 for whom Yahweh loves, he corrects , even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights .
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom , the man who gets understanding .
14 For her good profit is better than getting silver , and her return is better than fine gold .
15 She is more precious than rubies . None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her .
16 Length of days is in her right hand . In her left hand are riches and honor .
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness . All her paths are peace .
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her . Happy is everyone who retains her .
19 By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth . By understanding , he established the heavens .
20 By his knowledge , the depths were broken up , and the skies drop down the dew .
21 My son , let them not depart from your eyes . Keep sound wisdom and discretion ,
22 so they will be life to your soul , and grace for your neck .
23 Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble .
24 When you lie down , you will not be afraid . Yes, you will lie down , and your sleep will be sweet .
25 Don’t be afraid of sudden fear , neither of the desolation of the wicked , when it comes;
26 for Yahweh will be your confidence , and will keep your foot from being taken .
27 Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due , when it is in the power of your hand to do it .
28 Don’t say to your neighbor , " Go , and come again ; tomorrow I will give it to you ," when you have it by you .
29 Don’t devise evil against your neighbor , since he dwells securely by you .
30 Don’t strive with a man without cause , if he has done you no harm .
31 Don’t envy the man of violence . Choose none of his ways .
32 For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh , but his friendship is with the upright .
33 Yahweh ’s curse is in the house of the wicked , but he blesses the habitation of the righteous .
34 Surely he mocks the mockers , but he gives grace to the humble .
35 The wise will inherit glory , but shame will be the promotion of fools .