Proverbs 3

¹My son , do not forget my teaching , but let your heart keep my commandments ,

²for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

³Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck ; write them on the tablet of your heart .

⁴So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man .

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart , and do not lean on your own understanding .

⁶In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths .

⁷Be not wise in your own eyes ; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil .

⁸It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones .

⁹Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce ;

¹⁰then your barns will be filled with plenty , and your vats will be bursting with wine .

¹¹My son , do not despise the Lord ’s discipline or be weary of his reproof ,

¹²for the Lord reproves him whom he loves , as a father the son in whom he delights .

¹³Blessed is the one who finds wisdom , and the one who gets understanding ,

¹⁴for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold .

¹⁵She is more precious than jewels , and nothing you desire can compare with her.

¹⁶Long life is in her right hand ; in her left hand are riches and honor .

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

¹⁸She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed .

¹⁹The Lord by wisdom founded the earth ; by understanding he established the heavens ;

²⁰by his knowledge the deeps broke open , and the clouds drop down the dew .

²¹My son , do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion ,

²²and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck .

²³Then you will walk on your way securely , and your foot will not stumble .

²⁴If you lie down , you will not be afraid ; when you lie down , your sleep will be sweet .

²⁵Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked , when it comes ,

²⁶for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught .

²⁷Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due , when it is in your power to do it.

²⁸Do not say to your neighbor , Go , and come again , tomorrow I will give it —when you have it with you.

²⁹Do not plan evil against your neighbor , who dwells trustingly beside you.

³⁰Do not contend with a man for no reason , when he has done you no harm .

³¹Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways ,

³²for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence .

³³The Lord ’s curse is on the house of the wicked , but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous .

³⁴Toward the scorners he is scornful , but to the humble he gives favor .

³⁵The wise will inherit honor , but fools get disgrace .