Proverbs 3:1–26

Wisdom and Piety

3My child, do not forget my instruction,

and may your heart guard my commands.

²For length of days, years of life,

and peace they^a shall add to you.

³May loyal love^b and truth not forsake you;

bind them around your neck,

write them upon your heart.

⁴And you shall find favor and good sense^c

in the eyes of God and humankind.

⁵Trust Yahweh^d with all your heart;

do not lean toward your own understanding.

⁶In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will straighten your paths.

⁷Do not be wise in your own eyes;

fear Yahweh and retreat from evil.

⁸There shall be healing for your flesh,^e

and refreshment for your body.

⁹Honor Yahweh from your substance,^f

and from the firstfruits of all that will come to you,

¹⁰and your barns shall be full of plenty,

and your vats shall burst with new wine.

Happy Is the One Who Finds Wisdom

¹¹Do not despise the discipline of Yahweh, my child.

Do not be weary of his reproof

¹²because whomever Yahweh will love, he will rebuke,

as a father delights in his son.

¹³Happy is the one^g who finds wisdom,

and one who obtains understanding.

¹⁴For her^h income is better than the income of silver,

and her revenue than that of gold.

¹⁵She is more precious than rubies,

and all your desires shall not compare with her.

¹⁶Length of days is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honor.

¹⁷Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

¹⁸She is a tree of life for those who seize her;

those who take hold of her are considered happy.

Role of Wisdom in Creation and Society

¹⁹Yahweh in wisdom founded the earth;

he established the heavens in understanding.

²⁰With his knowledge, depths broke open,

and clouds dropped dew.

²¹My child, may theyⁱ not escape from your sight;^j

may you keep sound wisdom and prudence.

²²They shall be life for your soul^k

and adornment^l for your neck.

²³Then you will walk in the confidence of your ways,

and your foot will not stumble.

²⁴If you sit down, you will not panic,^m

and if you lie down, then your sleep shall be sweet.

²⁵Do not be afraid of sudden panic,ⁿ

or the storm of wickedness that will come.

²⁶Yahweh will be your confidence^o

and guard your foot from capture.