1-My son, do not forget my teaching,
but keep my commands in your heart,
2-for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you prosperity.
3-Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4-Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5-Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6-in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.a
7-Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8-This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.
9-Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10-then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11-My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
and do not resent his rebuke,
12-because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a fatherb the son he delights in.
13-Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
14-for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15-She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16-Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17-Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18-She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
19-By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20-by his knowledge the deeps were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21-My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment,
do not let them out of your sight;
22-they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23-Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble;
24-when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25-Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26-for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being snared.
27-Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
when it is in your power to act.
28-Do not say to your neighbor,
“Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow”—
when you now have it with you.
29-Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
who lives trustfully near you.
30-Do not accuse a man for no reason—
when he has done you no harm.
31-Do not envy a violent man
or choose any of his ways,
32-for the Lord detests a perverse man
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33-The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34-He mocks proud mockers
but gives grace to the humble.
35-The wise inherit honor,
but fools he holds up to shame.
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