3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
3:2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
3:3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
3:4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
3:6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.* / *Or will direct your paths
3:7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
3:8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
3:9 Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
3:10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
3:11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
3:12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.* / *Hebrew; Septuagint loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child
3:13 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,
3:14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
3:15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
3:16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
3:17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
3:18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.
3:19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;
3:20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
3:21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;
3:22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
3:23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
3:24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
3:25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
3:26 for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you” - when you already have it with you.
3:29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
3:30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason - when they have done you no harm.
3:31 Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.
3:32 For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.
3:33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
3:34 He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
3:35 The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.