Proverbs 3
Chapter 3
Trusting in the LORD
1 My child,t never forget the things I have taught you.
Store my commands in your heart.2 If you do this, you will live many years,
and your life will be satisfying.3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
Write them deep within your heart.4 Then you will find favor with both God and people,
and you will earn a good reputation.5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.6 Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.7 Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.8 Then you will have healing for your body
and strength for your bones.9 Honor the LORD with your wealth
and with the best part of everything you produce.10 Then he will fill your barns with grain,
and your vats will overflow with good wine.11 My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline,
and don’t be upset when he corrects you.12 For the LORD corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.t13 Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
the one who gains understanding.14 For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
and her wages are better than gold.15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.16 She offers you long life in her right hand,
and riches and honor in her left.17 She will guide you down delightful paths;
all her ways are satisfying.18 Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
happy are those who hold her tightly.19 By wisdom the LORD founded the earth;
by understanding he created the heavens.20 By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
and the dew settles beneath the night sky.21 My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
Hang on to them,22 for they will refresh your soul.
They are like jewels on a necklace.23 They keep you safe on your way,
and your feet will not stumble.24 You can go to bed without fear;
you will lie down and sleep soundly.25 You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,26 for the LORD is your security.
He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
when it’s in your power to help them.28 If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
“Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”29 Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
for those who live nearby trust you.30 Don’t pick a fight without reason,
when no one has done you harm.31 Don’t envy violent people
or copy their ways.32 Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD,
but he offers his friendship to the godly.33 The LORD curses the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the upright.34 The LORD mocks the mockers
but is gracious to the humble.t35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools are put to shame!
Proverbs 3
Exhortations to Seek Wisdom and Walk with the Lord
1 My child,t do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keept my commandments,
2 for they will providet a long and full life,t
and they will add well-beingt to you.
3 Do not let truth and mercyt leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.s
4 Then you will findt favor and good understanding,t
in the sight of God and people.t
5 Trusts in the Lord with all your heart,s
and do not relyt on your own understanding.t
6 Acknowledget him in all your ways,t
and he will make your paths straight.t
7 Do not be wise in your own estimation;t
fear the Lord and turn away from evil.s
8 This will bringt healing to your body,s
and refreshmentt to your inner self.t
9 Honort the Lord from your wealth
and from the first fruits of all your crops;t
10 then your barns will be filled completely,t
and your vatss will overflowt with new wine.
11 My child, do not despise discipline from the Lord,t
and do not loathet his rebuke.
12 For the Lord disciplinest those he loves,
just as a fathers disciplinest the son in whom he delights.
Blessings of Obtaining Wisdom
13 Blessedt is the onet who findst wisdom,
and the one who obtainst understanding.
14 For hert benefitt is more profitablet than silver,
and hert gaint is bettert than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies,
and none of the thingst you desiret can comparet with her.t
16 Long lifet is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are very pleasant,t
and all her paths are peaceful.
18 She is liket a tree of lifes to those who obtain her,t
and everyone who grasps hold of her will be blessed.t
19 By wisdom the Lord laid the foundation of the earth;t
he established the heavens by understanding.s
20 By his knowledge the primordial seas was broken open,s
and the clouds drip down dew.s
21 My child, do not let themt escape from your sight;
safeguard sound wisdom and discretion.t
22 Sot they will givet life to you,t
and grace to adornt your neck.t
23 Then you will walk on your wayt with security,
and yout will not stumble.s
24 Whent you lie down you will not be filled with fear;t
whent you lie down your sleep will be pleasant.t
25 You will not be afraidt of suddent disaster,t
or when destruction overtakest the wicked;t
26 for the Lord will bett the source of your confidence,t
and he will guard your foots from being caught in a trap.t
Wisdom Demonstrated in Relationships with People
27 Do not withhold good from those who need it,t
whent youst have the abilityt to help.t
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go! Return tomorrow
and I will give it,” whent you have it with you at the time.t
29 Do not plots evil against your neighbor
whent he dwells by you unsuspectingly.
30 Do not accuses anyonet without legitimate cause,t
if he has not treated you wrongly.
31 Do not envy a violent man,t
and do not choose to imitatet any of his ways;
32 for one who goes astrayt is an abominationt to the Lord,
but he revealst his intimate counselt to the upright.
33 The Lord’s curset is on the householdt of the wicked,s
but he blessess the homet of the righteous.t
34 Althought he is scornful to arrogant scoffers,t
yett he shows favor to the humble.t
35 The wise inherit honor,
but he holds fools ups to public contempt.t
