Proverbs 3
1MY son, forget not my rules; but let thy heart keep my commandments.
2For they will add to thee length of days and years of life and peace.
3Let not acts of kindness and faithfulness forsake thee: but bind them about thy neck and thou shalt find favour.
4Be provident in regard to things good in the sight of the Lord and of men.
5Trust in God with thy whole heart; and be not elated for thine own wisdom.
6Shew it in all thy ways, that it may make thy paths straight.
7Be not wise in thine own conceit; but fear God and depart from all evil:
8then shall thy body have health and thy bones a cure.
9Honour the Lord with some of thy righteous labours: and set apart for him some of thy fruits of righteousness:
10that thy barns may be plenteously filled with corn; and that thy vats may overflow with wine.
11My son, slight not the correction of the Lord, nor faint when reproved by Him:
12for whom the Lord loveth He reproveth: and chastiseth every son whom He receiveth.
13Happy the man who hath found wisdom, and the mortal who hath seen prudence:
14for it is better to traffic for her, than for treasures of gold and silver.
15She is more precious than costly stones: and nothing evil can be compared to her. She is easily known by all who approach her; but no price is equal to her in value.
16For length of days and years of life are in her right hand; and in her left, riches and glory. Out of her mouth proceedeth righteousness: and on her tongue she carrieth law and mercy.
17Her ways are ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life to all who take hold of her; and safe for them who rely on her, as on the Lord.
19By wisdom God founded the earth; and by understanding He furnished the heavens.*
20By knowledge the deeps were broken up and the clouds distilled dew.
21My son, be not wanting in retention: but keep my counsel, namely, the sentiment:
22that thy soul may live and that grace may be around thy neck; and it will be health to thy flesh and a cure for thy bones
23so that thou mayst proceed on in all thy ways in peace and security, and that thy foot may not stumble.
24For when thou liest down, thou shalt be free from fear: and when thou sleepest, thou shalt sleep sweetly,
25and shalt not fear the bursting in of terror, nor the sudden assaults of wicked men.
26For the Lord will be over all thy ways, and will support thy foot that thou mayst not be shaken.
27Delay not to do good to the needy, when it is in the power of thy hand to help.
28Do not say, Go away and come again: to-morrow I will give—when thou hast it in thy power to do good; for thou knowest not what to-morrow will bring forth.
29Devise not evils against thy friend, who sojourneth with thee and confideth in thee.
30Be not at enmity with a man without cause; lest he do thee some mischief.
31Acquire not the reproaches of bad men, nor be fond of their ways.
32For every transgressor is impure in the sight of the Lord, and among the righteous he taketh not a seat.
33The curse of God is in the houses of the wicked: but the folds of the righteous are blessed.
34The Lord resisteth the proud; but He granteth favour to the humble.
35The wise shall inherit glory; but the wicked have extolled dishonour.