Happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is the man who finds [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding and insight [learning from God’s word and life’s experiences],

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.

The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just and righteous.

Let your fountain (wife) be blessed [with the rewards of fidelity],
And rejoice in the wife of your youth.

“Now therefore, O sons, listen to me,
For blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] are they who keep my ways.

“Blessed [happy, prosperous, to be admired] is the man who listens to me,
Watching daily at my gates,
Waiting at my doorposts.

He who despises his neighbor sins [against God and his fellow man],
But happy [blessed and favored by God] is he who is gracious and merciful to the poor.

He who pays attention to the word [of God] will find good,
And blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) is he who trusts [confidently] in the Lord.

The righteous man who walks in integrity and lives life in accord with his [godly] beliefs—
How blessed [happy and spiritually secure] are his children after him [who have his example to follow].

An inheritance hastily gained [by greedy, unjust means] at the beginning
Will not be blessed in the end.

He who is generous will be blessed,
For he gives some of his food to the poor.

Blessed and favored by God is the man who fears [sin and its consequence] at all times,
But he who hardens his heart [and is determined to sin] will fall into disaster.

An arrogant and greedy man stirs up strife,
But he who trusts in the Lord will be blessed and prosper.

Where there is no vision [no revelation of God and His word], the people are unrestrained;
But happy and blessed is he who keeps the law [of God].

Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired);
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying,