Proverbs 3

Guidance for the Young

3My son, do not forget my law,

^aBut let your heart keep my commands;

²For length of days and long life

And ^bpeace they will add to you.

³Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

^cBind them around your neck,

^dWrite them on the tablet of your heart,

^4eAnd so find favor and ¹high esteem

In the sight of God and man.

^5fTrust in the Lord with all your heart,

^gAnd lean not on your own understanding;

^6hIn all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall ²direct your paths.

⁷Do not be wise in your own ⁱeyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

⁸It will be health to your ³flesh,

And ^jstrength ⁴to your bones.

^9kHonor the Lord with your possessions,

And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

^10lSo your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

^11mMy son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,

Nor detest His correction;

¹²For whom the Lord loves He corrects,

ⁿJust as a father the son in whom he delights.

^13oHappy is the man who finds wisdom,

And the man who gains understanding;

^14pFor her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,

And her gain than fine gold.

¹⁵She is more precious than rubies,

And ^qall the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

^16rLength of days is in her right hand,

In her left hand riches and honor.

^17sHer ways are ways of pleasantness,

And all her paths are peace.

¹⁸She is ^ta tree of life to those who take hold of her,

And happy are all who ⁵retain her.

^19uThe Lord by wisdom founded the earth;

By understanding He established the heavens;

²⁰By His knowledge the depths were ^vbroken up,

And clouds drop down the dew.

²¹My son, let them not depart from your eyes—

Keep sound wisdom and discretion;

²²So they will be life to your soul

And grace to your neck.

^23wThen you will walk safely in your way,

And your foot will not stumble.

²⁴When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

^25xDo not be afraid of sudden terror,

Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

²⁶For the Lord will be your confidence,

And will keep your foot from being caught.

^27yDo not withhold good from ⁶those to whom it is due,

When it is in the power of your hand to do so.

^28zDo not say to your neighbor,

“Go, and come back,

And tomorrow I will give it,”

When you have it with you.

²⁹Do not devise evil against your neighbor,

For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.

^30aDo not strive with a man without cause,

If he has done you no harm.

^31bDo not envy the oppressor,

And choose none of his ways;

³²For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,

^cBut His secret counsel is with the upright.

^33dThe curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,

But ^eHe blesses the home of the just.

^34fSurely He scorns the scornful,

But gives grace to the humble.

³⁵The wise shall inherit glory,

But shame shall be the legacy of fools.