Proverbs 3

Trust the Lord

¹My son, don’t forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commands; ^a

²for they will bring you

many days, a full life, ^b,^c and well-being. ^d

³Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.

Tie them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart. ^e

⁴Then you will find favor and high regard

with God and people. ^f

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart, ^g

and do not rely on your own understanding; ^h

⁶in all your ways know him,

and he will make your paths straight. ⁱ

⁷Don’t be wise in your own eyes; ^j

fear the Lord and turn away from evil. ^k

⁸This will be healing for your body ^l,^m

and strengthening for your bones. ⁿ

⁹Honor the Lord with your possessions

and with the first produce of your entire harvest; ^o

¹⁰then your barns will be completely filled,

and your vats will overflow with new wine. ^p

¹¹Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,

and do not loathe his discipline; ^q

¹²for the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights. ^r

Wisdom Brings Happiness

¹³Happy is a man who finds wisdom ^s

and who acquires understanding,

¹⁴for she is more profitable than silver,

and her revenue is better than gold. ^t

¹⁵She is more precious than jewels; ^u

nothing you desire can equal her. ^v

¹⁶Long life ^w is in her right hand;

in her left, riches and honor. ^x

¹⁷Her ways are pleasant, ^y

and all her paths, peaceful.

¹⁸She is a tree of life ^z to those who embrace her,

and those who hold on to her are happy.

¹⁹The Lord founded the earth by wisdom ^aa

and established the heavens by understanding.

²⁰By his knowledge the watery depths broke open, ^ab

and the clouds dripped with dew. ^ac

²¹Maintain sound wisdom and discretion.

My son, don’t lose sight of them. ^ad

²²They will be life for you ^ae,^af

and adornment ^ag for your neck.

²³Then you will go safely on your way;

your foot will not stumble. ^ah

²⁴When you lie ^ai down, you will not be afraid; ^aj

you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

²⁵Don’t fear sudden danger

or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, ^ak

²⁶for the Lord will be your confidence ^al

and will keep your foot from a snare. ^am

Treat Others Fairly

²⁷When it is in your power, ^an

don’t withhold good ^ao from the one to whom it belongs.

²⁸Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later.

I’ll give it tomorrow” #— #when it is there with you. ^ap

²⁹Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor, ^aq

for he trusts you and lives near you.

³⁰Don’t accuse anyone without cause, ^ar

when he has done you no harm.

³¹Don’t envy a violent man ^as

or choose any of his ways;

³²for the devious are detestable to the Lord,

but he is a friend ^at to the upright. ^au

³³The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked, ^av

but he blesses the home of the righteous;

³⁴He mocks those who mock

but gives grace to the humble. ^aw

³⁵The wise will inherit honor,

but he holds up fools to dishonor. ^ax