^1. MY son, do not forget my [1] teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;

^2. For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.

^3. Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.

^4. So you will find favor and good [2] repute In the sight of God and man.

^5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart And do not lean 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 turn away from evil.

^8. It will be healing to your [3] body And refreshment to your bones.

^9. Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;

^10. So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.

^11. My son, do not reject the [4] discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof,

^12. For whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

^13. How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.

^14. For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold.

^15. She is more precious than [5] jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.

^16. [6] 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 take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.

^19. The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens.

^20. By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew.

^21. My son, let them not [7] vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

^22. So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck.

^23. Then you will walk in your way securely 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. Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the [8] onslaught of the wicked when it comes;

^26. For the LORD will be [9] your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.

^27. Do not withhold good from [10] those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.

^28. Do not say to your neighbor, «Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,» When you have it with you.

^29. Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you.

^30. Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.

^31. Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways.

^32. For the devious are an abomination to the LORD; But [11] He is intimate with the upright.

^33. The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

^34. Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.

^35. The wise will inherit honor, But fools [12] display dishonor.