Advice to Children

3 My child, do not forget my teaching,

but keep my commands in mind.

2  Then you will live a long time,

and your life will be successful.

3  Don’t ever forget kindness and truth.

Wear them like a necklace.

Write them on your heart as if on a tablet.

4  Then you will be respected

and will please both God and people.

5  Trust the Lord with all your heart,

and don’t depend on your own understanding.

6  Remember the Lord in all you do,

and he will give you success.

7  Don’t depend on your own wisdom.

Respect the Lord and refuse to do wrong.

8  Then your body will be healthy,

and your bones will be strong.

9  Honor the Lord with your wealth

and the firstfruits from all your crops.

10  Then your barns will be full,

and your wine barrels will overflow with new wine.

11  My child, do not reject the Lord’s discipline,

and don’t get angry when he corrects you.

12  The Lord corrects those he loves,

just as parents correct the child they delight in.

13  Happy is the person who finds wisdom,

the one who gets understanding.

14  Wisdom is worth more than silver;

it brings more profit than gold.

15  Wisdom is more precious than rubies;

nothing you could want is equal to it.

16  With her right hand wisdom offers you a long life,

and with her left hand she gives you riches and honor.

17  Wisdom will make your life pleasant

and will bring you peace.

18  As a tree produces fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it,

and everyone who uses it will be happy.

19  The Lord made the earth, using his wisdom.

He set the sky in place, using his understanding.

20  With his knowledge, he made springs flow into rivers

and the clouds drop rain on the earth.

21  My child, hold on to wisdom and good sense.

Don’t let them out of your sight.

22  They will give you life

and beauty like a necklace around your neck.

23  Then you will go your way in safety,

and you will not get hurt.

24  When you lie down, you won’t be afraid;

when you lie down, you will sleep in peace.

25  You won’t be afraid of sudden trouble;

you won’t fear the ruin that comes to the wicked,

26  because the Lord will keep you safe.

He will keep you from being trapped.

27  Whenever you are able,

do good to people who need help.

28  If you have what your neighbor asks for,

don’t say, “Come back later.

I will give it to you tomorrow.”

29  Don’t make plans to hurt your neighbor

who lives nearby and trusts you.

30  Don’t accuse a person for no good reason;

don’t accuse someone who has not harmed you.

31  Don’t be jealous of those who use violence,

and don’t choose to be like them.

32  The Lord hates those who do wrong,

but he is a friend to those who are honest.

33  The Lord will curse the evil person’s house,

but he will bless the home of those who do right.

34  The Lord laughs at those who laugh at him,

but he gives grace to those who are not proud.

35  Wise people will receive honor,

but fools will be disgraced.