Bible Browser

3My child, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments;
²for length of days and years of life
and abundant welfare they will give you. ³Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴So you will find favor and good repute
in the sight of God and of people. ⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely on your own insight.
⁶In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
⁷Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
⁸It will be a healing for your flesh
and a refreshment for your body. ⁹Honor the Lord with your substance
and with the first fruits of all your produce;
¹⁰then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine. ¹¹My child, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
¹²for the Lord reproves the one he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights. ¹³Happy are those who find wisdom,
and those who get understanding,
¹⁴for her income is better than silver,
and her revenue 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 happy. 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 child, do not let these escape from your sight:
keep sound wisdom and prudence,
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 sit down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵Do not be afraid of sudden panic,
or of the storm that strikes the wicked;
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 harm against your neighbor
who lives trustingly beside you.
³⁰Do not quarrel with anyone without cause,
when no harm has been done to you.
³¹Do not envy the violent
and do not choose any of their ways;
³²for the perverse are 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 abode of the righteous.
³⁴Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he shows favor.
³⁵The wise will inherit honor,
but stubborn fools, disgrace.