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.