| Chapter 3 |
1 |
My son, don`t forget my teaching; But let your heart keep my commandments: |
2 |
For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to you. |
3 |
Don`t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. |
4 |
So you will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. |
5 |
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don`t lean on your own understanding. |
6 |
In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths. |
7 |
Don`t be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. |
8 |
It will be health to your body, And nourishment to your bones. |
9 |
Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of all your increase: |
10 |
So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. |
11 |
My son, don`t despise Yahweh`s discipline, Neither be weary of his reproof: |
12 |
For whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; Even as a father the son in whom he delights. |
13 |
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, The man who gets understanding. |
14 |
For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, The profit of it better than fine gold. |
15 |
She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. |
16 |
Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. |
17 |
Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. |
18 |
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her. |
19 |
By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens. |
20 |
By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew. |
21 |
My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion: |
22 |
So they will be life to your soul, And grace for your neck. |
23 |
Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won`t stumble. |
24 |
When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. |
25 |
Don`t be afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes: |
26 |
For Yahweh will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being taken. |
27 |
Don`t withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do it. |
28 |
Don`t say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, Tomorrow I will give," When you have it by you. |
29 |
Don`t devise evil against your neighbor, Seeing he dwells securely by you. |
30 |
Don`t strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. |
31 |
Don`t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways. |
32 |
For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, But his friendship is with the upright. |
33 |
The curse of Yahweh is in the house of the wicked, But he blesses the habitation of the righteous. |
34 |
Surely he mocks the mockers, But he gives grace to the humble. |
35 |
The wise will inherit glory, But shame will be the promotion of fools. |