Proverbs 3–4

Advice to Young Men

3Don’t forget what I teach you, my son. Always remember what I tell you to do. ²My teaching will give you a long and prosperous life. ³Never let go of loyalty and faithfulness. Tie them round your neck; write them on your heart. ^4*If you do this, both God and people will be pleased with you.

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. ⁶Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. ^7*Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong. ⁸If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains. ⁹Honour the Lord by making him an offering from the best of all that your land produces. ¹⁰If you do, your barns will be filled with grain, and you will have too much wine to be able to store it all.

^11*When the Lord corrects you, my son, pay close attention and take it as a warning. ^12*The Lord corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud. ¹³Happy is anyone who becomes wise—who gains understanding. ¹⁴There is more profit in it than there is in silver; it is worth more to you than gold. ¹⁵Wisdom is more valuable than jewels; nothing you could want can compare with it. ¹⁶Wisdom offers you long life, as well as wealth and honour. ¹⁷Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it. ¹⁸Those who become wise are happy; wisdom will give them life.

¹⁹The Lord created the earth by his wisdom;

by his knowledge he set the sky in place.

²⁰His wisdom caused the rivers to flow and the clouds to give rain to the earth.

²¹Hold on to your wisdom and insight, my son. Never let them get away from you. ²²They will provide you with life—a pleasant and happy life. ²³You can go safely on your way and never even stumble. ²⁴You will not be afraid when you go to bed, and you will sleep soundly through the night. ²⁵You will not have to worry about sudden disasters, such as come on the wicked like a storm. ²⁶The Lord will keep you safe. He will not let you fall into a trap.

²⁷Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. ²⁸Never tell your neighbours to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now. ²⁹Don’t plan anything that will hurt your neighbours; they live beside you, trusting you. ³⁰Don’t argue with others for no reason when they have never done you any harm. ³¹Don’t be jealous of violent people or decide to act as they do, ³²because the Lord hates people who do evil, but he takes righteous people into his confidence. ³³The Lord puts a curse on the homes of the wicked, but blesses the homes of the righteous. ^34*He has no use for conceited people, but shows favour to those who are humble. ³⁵Wise people will gain an honourable reputation, but stupid people will only add to their own disgrace.

The Benefits of Wisdom

4Listen to what your father teaches you, my sons. Pay attention, and you will have understanding. ²What I am teaching you is good, so remember it all. ³When I was only a little boy, my parents’ only son, ⁴my father would teach me. He would say, “Remember what I say and never forget it. Do as I tell you, and you will live. ⁵Get wisdom and insight! Do not forget or ignore what I say. ⁶Do not abandon wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will keep you safe. ⁷Getting wisdom is the most important thing you can do. Whatever else you get, get insight. ⁸Love wisdom, and she will make you great. Embrace her,^c and she will bring you honour. ⁹She will be your crowning glory.”

¹⁰Listen to me, my son. Take seriously what I am telling you, and you will live a long life. ¹¹I have taught you wisdom and the right way to live. ¹²Nothing will stand in your way if you walk wisely, and you will not stumble when you run. ¹³Always remember what you have learnt. Your education is your life—guard it well. ¹⁴Do not go where evil people go. Do not follow the example of the wicked. ¹⁵Don’t do it! Keep away from evil! Refuse it and go on your way. ¹⁶Wicked people cannot sleep unless they have done something wrong. They lie awake unless they have hurt someone. ¹⁷Wickedness and violence are like food and drink to them.

¹⁸The road the righteous travel is like the sunrise, getting brighter and brighter until daylight has come. ¹⁹The road of the wicked, however, is dark as night. They fall, but cannot see what they have stumbled over.

²⁰Pay attention to what I say, my son. Listen to my words. ²¹Never let them get away from you. Remember them and keep them in your heart. ²²They will give life and health to anyone who understands them. ²³Be careful how you think; your life is shaped by your thoughts. ²⁴Never say anything that isn’t true. Have nothing to do with lies and misleading words. ²⁵Look straight ahead with honest confidence; don’t hang your head in shame. ^26*Plan carefully what you do, and whatever you do will turn out right. ²⁷Avoid evil and walk straight ahead. Don’t go one step off the right way.