[1] My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;
[2] For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.
[3] Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
[4] So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.
[5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
[6] In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
[7] Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
[8] It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.
[9] Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;
[10] So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.
[11] My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof,
[12] For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
[13] How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.
[14] For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold.
[15] She is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.
[16] Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
[17] Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace.
[18] She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.
[19] The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens.
[20] By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew.
[21] My son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
[22] So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck.
[23] Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble.
[24] When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
[25] Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
[26] For the LORD will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.
[27] Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.
[28] Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.
[29] Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you.
[30] Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.
[31] Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways.
[32] For the devious are an abomination to the LORD; But He is intimate with the upright.
[33] The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
[34] Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.
[35] The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor.