Proverbs 3

The Rewards of Wisdom

1My son, do not forget my teaching, # Pr 4:5

but let your heart keep my commandments, # Dt 8:1

2for length of days and long life # Ps 91:16; Pr 4:10

and peace will they give you.

3Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

bind them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart. # Pr 6:21; 7:3; 2Co 3:3

4So will you find favor and high regard

in the sight of God and man. # 1Sa 2:26; Lk 2:52

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, # Ps 37:3, 5

and lean not on your own understanding.

6In all your ways acknowledge Him,

and He will make your paths straight. # 1Ch 28:9; Pr 16:3; Jer 10:23

7Be not wise in your own eyes; # Ro 12:16

fear the Lord and depart from evil. # Job 1:1

8It will be healing to your flesh,

and strength to your bones. # Job 21:24; Pr 4:22

9Honor the Lord with your substance,

and with the firstfruits of all your increase; # Ex 22:29; 23:19

10then will your barns be filled with plenty, # Dt 28:8

and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11My son, despise not the discipline of the Lord # Job 5:17

or be weary of His correction,

12for whom the Lord loves He corrects,

as a father the son in whom he delights. # Dt 8:5; Heb 12:5–6

13Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,

and the man who gets understanding,

14for her profit is better than the profit of silver,

and her increase better than fine gold. # Pr 8:19; 16:16

15She is more precious than jewels, # Job 28:18; Pr 8:11

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

16Length of days is in her right hand; # Pr 3:2

in her left hand are riches and honor.

17Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace. # Ps 119:165; Mt 11:28–30

18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; # Ge 2:9; Pr 11:30

blessed are those who retain her.

19The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; # Ps 104:24

by understanding He established the heavens; # Ps 136:5

20by His knowledge the depths were broken up, # Ge 7:11

and the clouds drop down the dew. # Dt 33:28

21My son, let them not depart from your sight; # Pr 4:21

keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22and they will be life to your soul

and adornment for your neck. # Pr 1:9; 4:22

23Then you will walk on your way securely, # Pr 10:9

and your foot will not stumble. # Pr 4:12

24When you sit down, # Ps 3:5 you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep # Pr 6:22 will be sweet.

25Do not be afraid of sudden terror # Ps 91:5

or of the desolation by the wicked when it comes, # 1Pe 3:14

26for the Lord will be your confidence

and will keep your foot from being caught. # 1Sa 2:9

27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

when it is in the power of your hand to do it. # Ro 13:7; Gal 6:10

28Do not say to your neighbor,

“Go and come again; tomorrow I will give it,”

when you have it with you. # Lev 19:13

29Do not devise evil against your neighbor

who dwells securely beside you. # Pr 6:14

30Do not strive with a man without cause,

when he has done you no harm.

31Do not envy the oppressor # Ps 37:1; Pr 24:1

and do not choose any of his ways,

32for the perverse is an abomination to the Lord, # Pr 11:20

but His counsel is with the upright. # Ps 25:14

33The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, # Mal 2:2

but He blesses the dwelling of the righteous. # Ps 1:3

34Surely He scorns the scornful,

but He gives grace to the humble. # Ps 138:6; Jas 4:6; 1Pe 5:5

35The wise will inherit honor,

but fools get shame.

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Proverbs 3

More Good Things Come From Wisdom

1My son, do not forget my teaching.

Keep my commands in your heart.

2They will help you live for many years.

They will bring you peace and success.

3Don’t let love and truth ever leave you.

Tie them around your neck.

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4Then you will find favor and a good name

in the eyes of God and people.

5Trust in the Lord with all your heart.

Do not depend on your own understanding.

6In all your ways obey him.

Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.

7Don’t be wise in your own eyes.

Have respect for the Lord and avoid evil.

8That will bring health to your body.

It will make your bones strong.

9Honor the Lord with your wealth.

Give him the first share of all your crops.

10Then your storerooms will be so full they can’t hold everything.

Your huge jars will spill over with fresh wine.

11My son, do not hate the Lord’s training.

Do not object when he corrects you.

12The Lord trains those he loves.

He is like a father who trains the son he is pleased with.

13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom.

Blessed is the one who gains understanding.

14Wisdom pays better than silver does.

She earns more than gold does.

15She is worth more than rubies.

Nothing you want can compare with her.

16Long life is in her right hand.

In her left hand are riches and honor.

17Her ways are pleasant ways.

All her paths lead to peace.

18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her.

Those who hold her close will be blessed.

19By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations.

Through understanding he set the heavens in place.

20By his knowledge the seas were separated,

and the clouds dropped their dew.

21My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight.

Hold on to good sense and the understanding of what is right.

22They will be life for you.

They will be like a gracious necklace around your neck.

23Then you will go on your way in safety.

You will not trip and fall.

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

When you lie down, you will sleep soundly.

25Don’t be terrified by sudden trouble.

Don’t be afraid when sinners are destroyed.

26The Lord will be at your side.

He will keep your feet from being caught in a trap.

27Don’t hold back good from those who are worthy of it.

Don’t hold it back when you can help.

28Suppose you already have something to give.

Don’t say to your neighbor,

“Come back tomorrow.

I’ll give it to you then.”

29Don’t plan to harm your neighbor.

He lives near you and trusts you.

30Don’t bring charges against anyone for no reason.

They have not harmed you.

31Don’t be jealous of a person who hurts others.

Don’t choose any of their ways.

32The Lord really hates sinful people.

But he makes honest people his closest friends.

33The Lord puts a curse on the houses of sinners.

But he blesses the homes of those who do what is right.

34He makes fun of proud people who make fun of others.

But he gives grace to those who are humble and treated badly.

35Wise people receive honor.

But foolish people get only shame.

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