| 1 | My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, | |
| 2 | for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. | |
| 3 | Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. | |
| 4 | Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. | |
| 5 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; | |
| 6 | in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. | |
| 7 | Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. | |
| 8 | This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. | |
| 9 | Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; | |
| 10 | then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. | |
| 11 | My son, do not despise the LORD'S discipline and do not resent his rebuke, | |
| 12 | because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. | |
| 13 | Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, | |
| 14 | for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. | |
| 15 | She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. | |
| 16 | Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. | |
| 17 | Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. | |
| 18 | She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. | |
| 19 | By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; | |
| 20 | by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. | |
| 21 | My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; | |
| 22 | they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. | |
| 23 | Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; | |
| 24 | when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. | |
| 25 | Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, | |
| 26 | for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. | |
| 27 | Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. | |
| 28 | Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"--when you now have it with you. | |
| 29 | Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. | |
| 30 | Do not accuse a man for no reason--when he has done you no harm. | |
| 31 | Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, | |
| 32 | for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. | |
| 33 | The LORD'S curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. | |
| 34 | He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. | |
| 35 | The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame. | |