Proverbs 3

1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

2For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.footnote a

3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.footnote b

5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

8It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.footnote cfootnote d

9Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

11My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.footnote e

14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

15She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

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

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

19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.footnote f

20By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

22So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

25Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

26For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.footnote g

28Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

29Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.footnote h

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

31Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.footnote i

32For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

34Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

35The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.footnote j

Trust in the LORD with All Your Heart

1My son, do not forget my teaching,but let your heart keep my commandments; 2for they will add length to your days,years and peace to your life. 3Never let loving devotionfootnote aor faithfulness leave you;bind them around your neck,write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Then you will find favor and high regardin the sight of God and man.

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart,and lean not on your own understanding; 6in all your ways acknowledge Him,and He will make your paths straight. 7Be not wise in your own eyes;fear the LORD and turn away from evil. 8This will bring healing to your bodyfootnote band refreshmentfootnote cto your bones.

9Honor the LORD with your wealthand with the firstfruits of all your crops; 10then your barns will be filled with plenty,and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD,and do not loathe His rebuke;footnote d 12for the LORD disciplines the one He loves,as does a father the son in whom he delights.footnote e

The Blessings of Wisdom

13Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,the man who acquires understanding, 14for she is more profitable than silver,and her gain is better than fine gold. 15She is more precious than rubies;nothing you desire compares with her. 16Long life is in her right hand;in her left hand are riches and honor. 17All her ways are pleasant,and all her paths are peaceful. 18She is a tree of life to those who embrace her,and those who lay hold of her are blessed.

19The LORD founded the earth by wisdomand established the heavens by understanding. 20By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open,and the clouds dripped with dew.

21My son, do not lose sight of this:Preserve sound judgment and discernment. 22They will be life to your souland adornment to your neck. 23Then you will go on your way in safety,and your foot will not stumble. 24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;when you rest, your sleep will be sweet. 25Do not fear sudden dangeror the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26for the LORD will be your confidenceand will keep your foot from the snare.

27Do not withhold good from the deservingfootnote fwhen it is within your power to act. 28Do not tell your neighbor,“Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—when you already have the means. 29Do not devise evil against your neighbor,for he trustfully dwells beside you. 30Do not accuse a man without cause,when he has done you no harm.

31Do not envy a violent manor choose any of his ways; 32for the LORD detests the perverse,but He is a friend to the upright. 33The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,but He blesses the home of the righteous. 34He mocks the mockers,but gives grace to the humble.footnote g 35The wise will inherit honor,but fools are held up to shame.