1 M y son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;
2 F or length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.
3 D o not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 S o you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.
5 T rust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
6 I n all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
7 D o not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8 I t will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.
9 H onor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce;
10 S o your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 M y son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof,
12 F or whom the Lord loves He reproves, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13 H ow blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding.
14 F or her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold.
15 S he is more precious than jewels; And nothing you desire compares with her.
16 L ong life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 H er ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace.
18 S he is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast.
19 T he Lord by wisdom founded the earth, By understanding He established the heavens.
20 B y His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew.
21 M y son, let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 S o they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck.
23 T hen you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble.
24 W hen you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 D o not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes;
26 F or the Lord will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught.
27 D o not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.
28 D o not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.
29 D o not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you.
30 D o not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.
31 D o not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways.
32 F or the devious are an abomination to the Lord; But He is intimate with the upright.
33 T he curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
34 T hough He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.
35 T he wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor.