3:1 My ·child [L son], do not forget my ·teaching [instruction; law], but ·keep my commands in mind [L let your heart/mind protect my commands].
3:2 Then ·you will live a long time, and your life will be successful [L length of days and years of life and peace will be added to you].
3:3 Don’t ·ever forget kindness and truth [L let loyalty and faithfulness abandon you]. ·Wear [Bind] them ·like a necklace [L on your neck]. Write them on your heart as if on a tablet.
3:4 Then you will ·be respected [find favor] and will please both God and people.
3:5 Trust the Lord with all your heart, and don’t ·depend [rely] on your own understanding.
3:6 ·Remember the Lord [L Know him] ·in all you do [L on all your paths], and he will ·give you success [L keep your roads straight].
3:7 Don’t ·depend on your own wisdom [L be wise in your own eyes]. ·Respect [Fear; Hold in awe] the Lord and ·refuse to do wrong [L turn away from evil].
3:8 Then your body will be healthy, and your bones will be ·strong [refreshed].
3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and the firstfruits from all your crops.
3:10 Then your barns will be full, and your wine barrels will ·overflow [burst] with new wine.
3:11 My ·child [L son], do not reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t ·get angry [loathe] when he corrects you.
3:12 The Lord corrects those he loves, just as ·parents [L fathers] correct the child they delight in.
3:13 ·Happy [Blessed] is the person who finds wisdom, the one who ·gets [gains] understanding.
3:14 ·Wisdom [L Her profit] is worth more than silver; ·it brings more profit [L her yield more] than gold.
3:15 Wisdom is more precious than ·rubies [or pearls]; nothing you could want is equal to it.
3:16 ·With [In] her right hand ·wisdom offers you a long life [L are length of days], and ·with [in] her left hand ·she gives you [are] riches and honor.
3:17 ·Wisdom will make your life [L Her paths are] pleasant and ·will bring you [L her trails are] peace.
3:18 As a tree produces fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it, and everyone who uses it will be happy.
3:19 The Lord ·made [L laid the foundations of] the earth, ·using his wisdom [or with Wisdom; 8:22–31]. He set the ·sky [heavens] in place, using his ·understanding [competence].
3:20 With his knowledge, ·he made springs flow into rivers [L the deeps burst open] and the clouds drop ·rain on the earth [L dew].
3:21 My ·child [L son], ·hold on to [protect] ·wisdom [resourcefulness] and ·good sense [discretion]. Don’t let them ·out of your sight [L slip from your eyes].
3:22 They will give you life and ·beauty like a necklace [L an ornament] around your neck.
3:23 Then you will ·go your way [walk on your path; C of life] in safety, and ·you will not get hurt [L your foot will not stumble].
3:24 When you lie down, you won’t be afraid; when you lie down, you will sleep in peace.
3:25 You won’t be afraid of sudden ·trouble [terror]; you won’t fear the ruin that comes to the wicked,
3:26 because the Lord will ·keep you safe [be your confidence]. He will ·keep you from being trapped [guard your feet from capture].
3:27 Whenever you are able, ·do [L do not withhold] good to people who ·need help [or deserve it].
3:28 If you have what your neighbor asks for, don’t say, “Come back later. I will give it to you tomorrow.”
3:29 Don’t ·make plans to hurt [intend evil toward] your neighbor who lives nearby and trusts you.
3:30 Don’t accuse a person for no good reason; don’t accuse someone who has not harmed you.
3:31 Don’t be jealous of those who use violence, and don’t ·choose to be like them [L prefer their path; C of life].
3:32 ·The Lord hates those who do wrong [L The devious are an abomination to the Lord], but he is a ·friend [confidant] to those who are ·honest [virtuous].
3:33 The Lord will curse the evil person’s house, but he will bless the home of ·those who do right [the righteous].
3:34 The Lord ·laughs at [mocks] those who ·laugh at [mock] him, but he ·gives grace [shows favor] to ·those who are not proud [the humble].
3:35 Wise people ·will receive honor [possess glory], but fools ·will be disgraced [give off/exude shame].
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