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