Proverbs 3

1My son, forget not my law; But let thy heart keep my commandments:

1My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands deep in your heart.

2For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to thee.

2They will provide you with a long life, many years, and great peace.

3Let not kindness and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart:

3Never let go of loyalty and faithfulness. Tie them around your neck like a necklace and write them on your heart.

4So shalt thou find favor and good understanding In the sight of God and man.

4Then you will find favor and a good reputation with both God and people.

5Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding:

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.

6In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths.

6Seek his will in everything you do, and he will show you which path to take.

7Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil:

7Do not think of yourself as wise. Instead, respect the LORD and turn away from evil.

8It will be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones.

8This will bring health to your body and strength to your bones.

9Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase:

9Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the very best of everything you produce.

10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy vats shall overflow with new wine.

10Then your barns will be bursting with grain, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof:

11My son, do not reject the LORD’s discipline, and do not be upset when he corrects you.

12For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth, Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

12For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a son he delights in.

13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding.

13The person who finds wisdom and the person who gains understanding are truly happy.

14For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, And the profit thereof than fine gold.

14Wisdom is worth more than silver, and its rewards are better than gold.

15She is more precious than rubies: And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.

15Wisdom is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire can compare with her.

16Length of days is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.

16She offers long life in her right hand, and in her left hand, she offers riches and honor.

17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace.

17Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths lead to peace.

18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her.

18Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; everyone who holds onto her is happy.

19Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he established the heavens.

19By personal wisdom, the LORD created the earth; by his understanding, he set the heavens in place.

20By his knowledge the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew.

20By his knowledge, the deep waters broke open and the clouds dropped down dew.

21My son, let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep sound wisdom and discretion:

21My son, do not lose sight of wisdom and common sense. Keep them in view.

22So shall they be life unto thy soul, And grace to thy neck.

22They will give you life and be like a beautiful ornament around your neck.

23Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, And thy foot shall not stumble.

23Then you will travel safely on your way, and your foot will not stumble.

24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

24When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet.

25Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh:

25Do not fear sudden disaster or the ruin that comes to the wicked.

26For Jehovah will be thy confidence, And will keep thy foot from being taken.

26For the LORD will be your confidence and will keep you from being caught in a trap.

27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it.

27Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it is in your power to help them.

28Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, And to-morrow I will give; When thou hast it by thee.

28Do not tell your neighbor, 'Go away and come back tomorrow, then I will give it,' if you have it with you right now.

29Devise not evil against thy neighbor, Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

29Do not plan to harm your neighbor, who lives nearby and trusts you.

30Strive not with a man without cause, If he have done thee no harm.

30Do not pick a fight with someone for no reason if they have done you no harm.

31Envy thou not the man of violence, And choose none of his ways.

31Do not envy violent people or choose to copy any of their ways.

32For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; But his friendship is with the upright.

32The LORD detests people who are twisted, but he shares his secrets with the honest.碎

33The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; But he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.

33The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

34Surely he scoffeth at the scoffers; But he giveth grace unto the lowly.

34He mocks those who mock others, but he shows favor to the humble.碎

35The wise shall inherit glory; But shame shall be the promotion of fools.

35The wise will inherit honor, but fools will only end up with more shame.