Proverbs 3

3 ¹My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, ²for they will add length of days and years of life and peace to you. ³Do not let covenant love and faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. ⁴So you will find favor and a good reputation with our Father and with people.

⁵Trust in our Father with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. ⁶In all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.

⁷Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear our Father, and turn away from evil. ⁸This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.

⁹Honor our Father with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce, ^a a v9 Firstfruits were the first and best portion of the harvest, offered to our Father before any of it was used. ¹⁰then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

¹¹My son, do not despise the discipline of our Father or be weary of his correction, ¹²for our Father disciplines the one his heart loves, just as a father disciplines the son he delights in.

¹³Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gains understanding, ¹⁴for the gain from her is better than gain from silver, and her profit better than gold. ¹⁵She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. ¹⁶Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. ¹⁷Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peace. ¹⁸She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

¹⁹Our Father by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; ²⁰by his knowledge the depths burst open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

²¹My son, do not lose sight of these; keep sound wisdom and discretion, ²²and they will be life for your soul and an adornment for your neck. ²³Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble. ²⁴If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. ²⁵Do not be afraid of sudden terror, or of the ruin of the wicked when it comes, ²⁶for our Father will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

²⁷Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to do it. ²⁸Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, and tomorrow I will give it"—when you have it with you. ²⁹Do not plot evil against your neighbor, who lives trustingly beside you. ³⁰Do not quarrel with anyone for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

³¹Do not envy a violent man, and do not choose any of his ways, ³²for the devious person is detestable to our Father, but he takes the upright into his confidence. ³³The curse of our Father is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. ³⁴Toward the mockers he is scornful, but to the humble he gives grace. ³⁵The wise will inherit honor, but fools get only disgrace.