Proverbs 3

The Blessing of Wisdom

1My son, don’t forget my teaching. Remember what I tell you to do. 2What I teach will give you a good, long life, and all will go well for you.

3Don’t ever let love and loyalty leave you. Tie them around your neck, and write them on your heart. 4Then God will be pleased and think well of you and so will everyone else.

5Trust the Lord completely, and don’t depend on your own knowledge. 6With every step you take, think about what he wants, and he will help you go the right way. 7Don’t trust in your own wisdom, but fear and respect the Lord and stay away from evil. 8If you do this, it will be like a refreshing drink and medicine for your body.

9Honor the Lord with your wealth and the first part of your harvest. 10Then your barns will be full of grain, and your barrels will be overflowing with wine.

11My son, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be angry when he corrects you. 12The Lord corrects the one he loves, just as a father corrects a child he cares about.

13Those who find wisdom are fortunate; they will be blessed when they gain understanding. 14Profit that comes from wisdom is better than silver and even the finest gold. 15Wisdom is worth more than fine jewels. Nothing you desire has more value.

16With her right hand, Wisdom offers long life—with the other hand, riches and honor. 17Wisdom will lead you to a life of joy and peace. 18Wisdom is like a life-giving tree to those who hold on to her; she is a blessing to those who keep her close.

19With wisdom and understanding, the Lord created the earth and sky. 20With his knowledge, he made the oceans and the clouds that produce rain.

21My son, don’t ever let wisdom out of your sight. Hold on to wisdom and careful planning. 22They will bring you a long life filled with honor. 23As you go through life, you will always be safe and never fall. 24When you lie down, you will not be afraid. When you rest, your sleep will be peaceful. 25You have no reason to fear a sudden disaster or the destruction that comes to the wicked. 26You can trust the Lord to protect you. He will not let you fall into harm.

27Do everything you possibly can for those who need help. 28If your neighbor needs something you have, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow.” Give it to him immediately.

29Don’t make plans to harm your neighbor, who lives near you and trusts you.#3:29 neighbor … trusts you Or “neighbor. After all, you live near one another for protection.”

30Don’t take people to court without good reason, especially when they have done nothing to harm you.

31Don’t envy those who are violent. Never choose to be like them. 32Such crooked people are disgusting to the Lord. But he is a friend to those who are good and honest.

33The Lord curses a wicked family, but he blesses the homes of those who live right.

34He will humiliate those who make fun of others, but he is kind to those who are humble.

35The way the wise live will bring them honor, but the way fools live will bring them shame.

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Proverbs 3

Using Wisdom

1My son,

do not forget my teachings,

and keep my commands in mind,

2because they will bring you

long life, good years, and peace.

3Do not let mercy and truth leave you.

Fasten them around your neck.

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4Then you will find favor and much success

in the sight of God and humanity.

5Trust the Lord with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own understanding.

6In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths smooth.#3:6 Or “straight.”

7Do not consider yourself wise.

Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.

8 ⌞Then⌟ your body will be healed,

and your bones will have nourishment.

9Honor the Lord with your wealth

and with the first and best part of all your income.#3:9 Or “harvest.”

10Then your barns will be full,

and your vats will overflow with fresh wine.

11Do not reject the discipline of the Lord, my son,

and do not resent his warning,

12because the Lord warns the one he loves,

even as a father warns a son with whom he is pleased.

13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom

and the one who obtains understanding.

14The profit ⌞gained⌟ from ⌞wisdom⌟ is greater than

the profit ⌞gained⌟ from silver.

Its yield is better than fine gold.

15 ⌞Wisdom⌟ is more precious than jewels,

and all your desires cannot equal it.

16Long life is in ⌞wisdom’s⌟ right hand.

In ⌞wisdom’s⌟ left hand are riches and honor.

17 ⌞Wisdom’s⌟ ways are pleasant ways,

and all its paths lead to peace.

18 ⌞Wisdom⌟ is a tree of life

for those who take firm hold of it.

Those who cling to it are blessed.

19By Wisdom the Lord laid the foundation of the earth.

By understanding he established the heavens.

20By his knowledge the deep waters were divided,

and the skies dropped dew.

21My son,

do not lose sight of these things.

Use priceless wisdom and foresight.

22Then they will mean life for you,

and they will grace your neck.

23Then you will go safely on your way,

and you will not hurt your foot.

24When you lie down, you will not be afraid.

As you lie there, your sleep will be sweet.

25Do not be afraid of sudden terror

or of the destruction of wicked people when it comes.

26The Lord will be your confidence.

He will keep your foot from getting caught.

27Do not hold back anything good

from those who are entitled to it

when you have the power to do so.

28When you have the good thing with you, do not tell your neighbor,

“Go away!

Come back tomorrow.

I’ll give you something then.”

29Do not plan to do something wrong to your neighbor

while he is sitting there with you and suspecting nothing.

30Do not quarrel with a person for no reason

if he has not harmed you.

31Do not envy a violent person.

Do not choose any of his ways.

32The devious person is disgusting to the Lord.

The Lord’s intimate advice is with decent people.

33The Lord curses the house of wicked people,

but he blesses the home of righteous people.

34When he mocks the mockers,

he is gracious to humble people.

35Wise people will inherit honor,

but fools will bear disgrace.

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