Proverbs 3 / 31
- 1
(Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart)
My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
- 2
for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
- 3
Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
- 4
So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
- 5
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
- 6
In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
- 7
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
- 8
It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshmentOr medicine to your bones.
- 9
Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
- 10
then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
- 11
My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
- 12
for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.
- 13(Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom)
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
- 14
for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.
- 15
She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
- 16
Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
- 17
Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
- 18
She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.
- 19
The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;
- 20
by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.
- 21
My son, do not lose sight of these--
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
- 22
and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
- 23
Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
- 24
If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
- 25
Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
- 26
for the Lord will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.
- 27
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.
- 28
Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it"--when you have it with you.
- 29
Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.
- 30
Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.
- 31
Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
- 32
for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are in his confidence.
- 33
The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
- 34
Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favor.
- 35
The wise will inherit honor,
but fools get disgrace.