1 My son, do not forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments:
2 for length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you.
3 Do not let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase:
10 so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline, neither be weary of his reproof:
12 for whom the LORD loves, he reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.
14 For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her, and those who hold on to her are blessed
19 By wisdom the LORD founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.
20 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.
21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.
23 Then you shall walk in your way securely, and your foot won't stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear, or of the storm of the wicked when it comes:
26 for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you," when you have it by you.
29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwells securely by you.
30 Do not strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.
32 For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD, but his friendship is with the upright.
33 The LORD's curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
34 Surely he is scornful to scoffers, but he gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.