Proverbs 3
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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GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 3
3
Wisdom and Piety
1My child, do not forget my instruction,
and may your heart guard my commands.
2For length of days, years of life,
and peace they#That is, “my commands” (3:1) shall add to you.
3May loyal love#Or “kindness, mercy” and truth not forsake you;
bind them around your neck,
write them upon your heart.
4And you shall find favor and good sense#Or “understanding, prudence”
in the eyes of God and humankind.
5Trust Yahweh#Literally “trust toward Yahweh” with all your heart;
do not lean toward your own understanding.
6In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will straighten your paths.
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear Yahweh and retreat from evil.
8There shall be healing for your flesh,#Literally “navel”
and refreshment for your body.
9Honor Yahweh from your substance,#Or “wealth, property”
and from the firstfruits of all that will come to you,
10and your barns shall be full of plenty,
and your vats shall burst with new wine.
Happy Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
11Do not despise the discipline of Yahweh, my child.
Do not be weary of his reproof
12because whomever Yahweh will love, he will rebuke,
as a father delights in his son.
13Happy is the one#Literally “a man” who finds wisdom,
and one who obtains understanding.
14For her#Or “its”; both “wisdom” and “understanding” are feminine nouns and can be read as either “she” or “it” income is better than the income of silver,
and her revenue than that of gold.
15She is more precious than rubies,
and all your desires shall not compare with her.
16Length of days is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
18She is a tree of life for those who seize her;
those who take hold of her are considered happy.
Role of Wisdom in Creation and Society
19Yahweh in wisdom founded the earth;
he established the heavens in understanding.
20With his knowledge, depths broke open,
and clouds dropped dew.
21My child, may they#Grammatically, “they” most likely refers to clouds (3:20). In context, “they” may refer to wisdom and understanding (3:13). not escape from your sight;#Literally “eyes”
may you keep sound wisdom and prudence.
22They shall be life for your soul#Or “inner self”
and adornment#Or “favor” for your neck.
23Then you will walk in the confidence of your ways,
and your foot will not stumble.
24If you sit down, you will not panic,#Or “fear, dread”
and if you lie down, then your sleep shall be sweet.
25Do not be afraid of sudden panic,#Or “fear, dread”
or the storm of wickedness that will come.
26Yahweh will be your confidence#Literally “in your confidence”
and guard your foot from capture.
27Do not withhold good from its owner#Or “lord”
when it is in the power of your hand to do.
28Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go and return and tomorrow I will give it,”
when it is with you.#Literally “and there is with you”
29Do not plot harm against your neighbor
who dwells in confidence beside you.
30Do not quarrel with anyone without cause,
when he did not do you harm.
31Do not envy a man of violence,
and do not choose any of his ways,
32for he who is perverse is an abomination of Yahweh,
but those who are upright are his confidence.
33The curse of Yahweh is on the house of the wicked,
and the abode of the righteous ones he blesses.
34With those who scorn, he is scornful,
but to those who are humble, he gives favor.
35They will inherit the honor of the wise,
but stubborn fools, disgrace.
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