3:1 My son, do not forget my ①teaching,
But have your heart comply with my commandments;
▷ ①Or law
3:2 For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
3:3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
3:4 So you will find favor and a good ①reputation
In the sight of God and man.
▷ ①Lit understanding
3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean 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 turn away from evil.
3:8 It will be healing to your ①body
And refreshment to your bones.
▷ ①Lit navel
3:9 Honor the LORD from your wealth,
And from the first of all your produce;
3:10 Then your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
3:11 My son, do not reject the ①discipline of the LORD
Or loathe His rebuke,
▷ ①Or instruction
3:12 For whom the LORD loves He disciplines,
Just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.
3:13 Blessed is a person who finds wisdom,
And one who obtains understanding.
3:14 For ①her profit is better than the profit of silver,
And her produce better than gold.
▷ ①I.e., the profit from Wisdom (personified)
3:15 She is more precious than ①jewels,
And nothing you desire compares with her.
▷ ①Lit corals
3:16 ①Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
▷ ①Lit Length of days
3:17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
And all her paths are peace.
3:18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are those who hold on to her.
3:19 The LORD founded the earth by wisdom,
He established the heavens by understanding.
3:20 By His knowledge the ocean depths were burst open,
And the clouds drip with dew.
3:21 My son, see that they do not escape from your sight;
Comply with sound wisdom and discretion,
3:22 And they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck.
3:23 Then you will walk in your way securely,
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 Do not be afraid of sudden danger,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
3:26 For the LORD will be ①your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
▷ ①Or at your side
3:27 Do not withhold good from ①those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
▷ ①Lit its owners
3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it to you,”
When you have it with you.
3:29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
3:30 Do not contend with a person for no reason,
If he has done you no harm.
3:31 Do not envy a violent person,
And do not choose any of his ways.
3:32 For the devious are an abomination to the LORD;
But ①He is intimate with the upright.
▷ ①Lit His private counsel is
3:33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the righteous.
3:34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet He gives grace to the needy.
3:35 The wise will inherit honor,
But fools ①increase dishonor.
▷ ①Lit raise high