Proverbs 3

1 My son, forget not my law; But let thy heart keep my commandments:

2 For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to thee.

3 Let not kindness and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart:

4 So shalt thou find favor and good understanding In the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding:

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil:

8 It will be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones.

9 Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase:

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy vats shall overflow with new wine.

11 My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof:

12 For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth; Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding.

14 For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, And the profit thereof than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies: And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto 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, And all her paths are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her.

19 Jehovah by wisdom 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 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 securely, 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 Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh:

26 For Jehovah will be thy confidence, And will keep thy foot from being taken.

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it.

28 Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, And to-morrow I will give; When thou hast it by thee.

29 Devise not evil against thy neighbor, Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

30 Strive not with a man without cause, If he have done thee no harm.

31 Envy thou not the man of violence, And choose none of his ways.

32 For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; But his friendship is with the upright.

33 The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; But he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.

34 Surely he scoffeth at the scoffers; But he giveth grace unto the lowly.

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

Proverbs 3

Trust God

1 My child, remember
my teachings and instructions
and obey them completely.

2 They will help you live
a long and prosperous life.

3 Let love and loyalty
always show like a necklace,
and write them in your mind.

4 God and people will like yout
and consider you a success.

5 With all your heart
you must trust the Lord
and not your own judgment.

6 Always let him lead you,
and he will clear the road
for you to follow.

7 Don't ever think that yout
are wise enough,
but respect the Lord
and stay away from evil.

8 This will make you healthy,
and you will feel strong.

9 Honour the Lord by giving him
your money and the first part
of all your crops.

10 Then you will have
more grain and grapes
than you will ever need.

11 My child, don't turn awaytt
or become bitter
when the Lord corrects you.

12 The Lord correctst
everyone he loves,
just as parents correct
their favourite child.

The value of wisdom

13 God blesses everyone
who has wisdom
and common sense.

14 Wisdom is worth more
than silver;
it makes you much richer
than gold.

15 Wisdom is more valuable
than precious jewels;
nothing you want
compares with her.

16 In her right hand
Wisdom holds a long life,
and in her left hand
are wealth and honour.

17 Wisdom makes life pleasant
and leads us safely along.

18 Wisdom is a life-giving tree,
the source of happiness
for all who hold on to her.

19 By his wisdom and knowledge
the Lord created
heaven and earth.

20 By his understanding
he let the ocean break loose
and clouds release the rain.

21 My child, use common sense
and sound judgment!
Always keep them in mind.

22 They will help you to live
a long and beautiful life.

23 You will walk safely
and never stumble;

24 you will rest without a worry
and sleep soundly.

25 So don't be afraid
of sudden disasters
or storms that strike
those who are evil.

26 You can be sure that the Lord
will protect you from harm.

27 Do all you can for everyone
who deserves your help.

28 Don't tell your neighbour
to come back tomorrow,
if you can help today.

29 Don't try to be mean
to neighbours who trust you.

30 Don't argue just to be arguing,
when you haven't been hurt.

31 Don't be jealous
of cruel people
or follow their example.

32 The Lord doesn't like
anyone who is dishonest,
but he lets good people
be his friends.

33 He places a curse on the home
of everyone who is evil,
but he blesses the home
of every good person.

34 The Lord sneers at thoset
who sneer at him,
but he is kind to everyone
who is humble.

35 You will be praised
if you are wise,
but you will be disgraced
if you are a stubborn fool.