Proverbs 3

Trust the Lord

3My son, don’t forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commands; ^s

²for they will bring you

many days, a full life, ^tuand well-being. ^v

³Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.

Tie them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart. ^w

⁴Then you will find favor and high regard

in the sight of God and man. ^x

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart, ^y

and do not rely on your own understanding; ^z

⁶think about Him in all your ways,

and He will guide you on the right paths. ^ab

⁷Don’t consider yourself to be wise; ^c

fear the Lord and turn away from evil. ^d

⁸This will be healing for your body ^ef

and strengthening for your bones. ^g

⁹Honor the Lord with your possessions

and with the first produce of your entire harvest; ^h

¹⁰then your barns will be completely filled,

and your vats will overflow with new wine. ⁱ

¹¹Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,

and do not loathe His discipline; ^j

¹²for the Lord disciplines the one He loves,

just as a father, the son he delights in. ^k

Wisdom Brings Happiness

¹³Happy is a man who finds wisdom ^l

and who acquires understanding,

¹⁴for she is more profitable than silver,

and her revenue is better than gold. ^m

¹⁵She is more precious than jewels; ⁿ

nothing you desire compares with her. ^o

¹⁶Long life ^pis in her right hand;

in her left, riches and honor. ^q

¹⁷Her ways are pleasant, ^r

and all her paths, peaceful.

¹⁸She is a tree of life ^sto those who embrace her,

and those who hold on to her are happy.

¹⁹The Lord founded the earth by wisdom ^t

and established the heavens by understanding.

²⁰By His knowledge the watery depths broke open, ^u

and the clouds dripped with dew. ^v

²¹Maintain your competence and discretion.

My son, don’t lose sight of them. ^w

²²They will be life for you ^xyz

and adornment ^afor your neck.

²³Then you will go safely on your way;

your foot will not stumble. ^b

²⁴When you lie ^cdown, you will not be afraid; ^d

you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

²⁵Don’t fear sudden danger

or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, ^e

²⁶for the Lord will be your confidence ^f

and will keep your foot from a snare. ^g

Treat Others Fairly

²⁷When it is in your power, ^h

don’t withhold good ⁱfrom the one it belongs to.

²⁸Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later.

I’ll give it tomorrow”—when it is there with you. ^j

²⁹Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor, ^k

for he trusts you and lives near you.

³⁰Don’t accuse anyone without cause, ^l

when he has done you no harm.

³¹Don’t envy a violent man ^m

or choose any of his ways;

³²for the devious are detestable to the Lord,

but He is a friend ⁿto the upright. ^o

³³The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked, ^p

but He blesses the home of the righteous;

³⁴He mocks those who mock,

but gives grace to the humble. ^q

³⁵The wise will inherit honor,

but He holds up fools to dishonor. ^r