Proverbs 3

1My son, do not forget my teaching,But let your mind retain my commandments;

2For they will bestow on you length of days,Years of life and well-being.

3Let fidelity and steadfastness not leave you;Bind them about your throat,Write them on the tablet of your mind,

4And you will find favor and approbationIn the eyes of God and human beings.

5Trust in GOD with all your heart,And do not rely on your own understanding.

6In all your ways acknowledge [God],And your paths will be made smooth.

7Do not be wise in your own eyes;Fear GOD and shun evil.

8It will be a cure for your body, A tonic for your bones.

9Honor GOD with your wealth,With the best of all your income,

10And your barns will be filled with grain,Your vats will burst with new wine.

11Do not reject GOD’s discipline, my son;Do not abhor such rebuke.

12For whom GOD loves, [God] rebukes,As a father the son whom he favors.

13Happy is the one who finds wisdom,The one who attains understanding.

14Her value in trade is better than silver,Her yield, greater than gold.

15She is more precious than rubies;All of your goods cannot equal her.

16In her right hand is length of days,In her left, riches and honor.

17Her ways are pleasant ways,And all her paths, peaceful.

18She is a tree of life to those who grasp her,And whoever holds on to her is happy.

19GOD founded the earth by wisdomAnd established the heavens by understanding;

20By God’s knowledge the depths burst apart,And the skies distilled dew.

21My son, do not lose sight of them;Hold on to resourcefulness and foresight.

22They will give life to your spiritAnd grace to your throat.

23Then you will go your way safelyAnd not injure your feet.

24When you lie down you will be unafraid;You will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

25You will not fear sudden terrorOr the disaster that comes upon the wicked,

26For GOD will be your trustAnd will keep your feet from being caught.

27Do not withhold good from those who deserve itWhen you have the power to do it [for them].

28Do not say to your fellow, “Come back again;I’ll give it to you tomorrow,” when you have it with you.

29Do not devise harm against your fellowWho lives trustfully with you.

30Do not quarrel with someone for no cause,When they have done you no harm.

31Do not envy a lawless man,Or choose any of his ways;

32For the one who goes astray is an abomination to GOD,But the straightforward are intimates.

33GOD’s curse is on the house of the evildoer,But the abode of the righteous is blessed.

34At scoffers [God] scoffs,But the lowly are shown grace.

35The wise shall obtain honor,But dullards get disgrace as their portion.