Home Master Index
←Prev   Proverbs 3 as rendered by/in  Next→ 



3:1  My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
3:2  for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you.
3:3  Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
3:4  Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and of people.
3:5  Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
3:6  In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
3:7  Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
3:8  It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.
3:9  Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce;
3:10  then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
3:11  My child, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,
3:12  for the Lord reproves the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
3:13  Happy are those who find wisdom and those who get understanding,
3:14  for her income is better than silver and her revenue better than gold.
3:15  She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
3:16  Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
3:17  Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
3:18  She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.
3:19  The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;
3:20  by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
3:21  My child, do not let these escape from your sight: keep sound wisdom and prudence,
3:22  and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
3:23  Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
3:24  If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
3:25  Then you will not be afraid of sudden panic or of the storm that strikes the wicked,
3:26  for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
3:27  Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
3:28  Do not say to your neighbor, “Go and come again; tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you.
3:29  Do not plan harm against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you.
3:30  Do not quarrel with anyone without cause, when no harm has been done to you.
3:31  Do not envy the violent, and do not choose any of their ways,
3:32  for the perverse are an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
3:33  The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous.
3:34  Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor.
3:35  The wise will inherit honor, but stubborn fools, disgrace.