The Proverbs - Chapter 3

¹ My child, do not forget my teaching, let your heart keep my principles,

² since they will increase your length of days, your years of life and your well-being.

³ Let faithful love and constancy never leave you: tie them round your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Thus you will find favour and success in the sight of God and of people.

⁵ Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception;

⁶ acknowledge him in every course you take, and he will see that your paths are smooth.

⁷ Do not congratulate yourself on your own wisdom, fear Yahweh and turn your back on evil:

⁸ health-giving, this, to your body, relief to your bones.

⁹ Honour Yahweh with what goods you have and with the first-fruits of all your produce;

¹⁰ then your barns will be filled with corn, your vats overflowing with new wine.

¹¹ My child, do not scorn correction from Yahweh, do not resent his reproof;

¹² for Yahweh reproves those he loves, as a father the child whom he loves.

¹³ Blessed are those who have discovered wisdom, those who have acquired understanding!

¹⁴ Gaining her is more rewarding than silver, her yield is more valuable than gold.

¹⁵ She is beyond the price of pearls, nothing you could covet is her equal.

¹⁶ In her right hand is length of days; in her left hand, riches and honour.

¹⁷ Her ways are filled with delight, her paths all lead to contentment.

¹⁸ She is a tree of life for those who hold her fast, those who cling to her live happy lives.

¹⁹ In wisdom, Yahweh laid the earth's foundations, in understanding he spread out the heavens.

²⁰ Through his knowledge the depths were cleft open, and the clouds distil the dew.

²¹ My child, hold to sound advice and prudence, never let them out of sight;

²² they will give life to your soul and beauty to your neck.

²³ You will go on your way in safety, your feet will not stumble.

²⁴ When you go to bed, you will not be afraid; once in bed, your sleep will be sweet.

²⁵ Have no fear either of sudden terror or of attack mounted by wicked men,

²⁶ since Yahweh will be your guarantor, he will keep your steps from the snare.

²⁷ Refuse no kindness to those who have a right to it, if it is in your power to perform it.

²⁸ Do not say to your neighbour, 'Go away! Come another time! I will give it you tomorrow,' if you can do it now.

²⁹ Do not plot harm against your neighbour who is living unsuspecting beside you.

³⁰ Do not pick a groundless quarrel with anyone who has done you no harm.

³¹ Do not envy the man of violence, never model your conduct on his;

³² for the wilful wrong-doer is abhorrent to Yahweh, who confides only in the honest.

³³ Yahweh's curse lies on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.

³⁴ He mocks those who mock, but accords his favour to the humble.

³⁵ Glory is the portion of the wise, all that fools inherit is contempt.

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