Proverbs 3

1My son, do not let my teaching slip from your memory; hold my commands close in your heart, 2for they will lengthen your days, add years to your life, and bring you peace. 3Never let loyal love and faithfulness leave you: wear them like a necklace, and engrave them on your heart as on a tablet, 4So you will find favor and be well thought of, both by God and by people.

5Trust the LORD with your whole heart, and do not rely on your own insight. 6Keep him in mind in everything you do, and he will clear a straight road ahead of you. 7Do not think of yourself as wise; fear the LORD and keep away from evil. 8It will be medicine for your body and fresh strength for your bones. 9Honor the LORD with what you own, with the first and best of everything your land produces; 10then there will be more than enough to fill your barns, and new wine will burst out of your vats.

11My son, do not brush aside the discipline of the LORD, or grow weary of his correction, 12for the LORD corrects the one he loves, as a father corrects the son who is his joy. 13How blessed is the person who has found wisdom, the one who has come by understanding, 14for what she earns you is worth more than silver, and her return is better than gold. 15She is worth more than red coral; nothing you long for comes close to her. 16She holds long life in her right hand, and wealth and honor in her left. 17Her ways are delightful, and every path she takes leads to peace. 18To those who take hold of her she is a tree of life; whoever keeps a firm grip on her is called blessed.

19It was with wisdom that the LORD set the earth on its foundations, and with understanding that he fixed the heavens in place; 20by his knowledge the deep waters broke open, and the clouds let the dew fall. 21My son, do not let these slip out of your sight; hold on to sound wisdom and foresight, 22and they will be life to you and a lovely ornament around your neck. 23Then your road will be safe to walk, and your foot will not strike against anything. 24When you go to bed, you will have nothing to fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. 25You need not fear sudden terror, or the storm that falls on the wicked when it comes, 26for the LORD will be the one you rely on, and he will keep your foot from the snare. 27When you have it in your power to do good to those who are owed it, do not hold it back. 28Do not tell your neighbor, “Go away and come back; I will give it to you tomorrow,” when you have it with you now. 29Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives beside you and trusts you. 30Do not pick a fight for no reason with someone who has done you no wrong. 31Do not be jealous of the violent, and do not take up any of their ways, 32for the devious are hateful to the LORD, but the upright are his close friends. 33The house of the wicked lies under the curse of the LORD, but the home where the righteous live receives his blessing. 34Mockers he meets with mockery, but to the humble he gives grace. 35Honor is what the wise inherit, but fools are held up to disgrace.