| Chapter 3 |
1 |
My son, keep my teaching in your memory, and my rules in your heart: |
2 |
For they will give you increase of days, years of life, and peace. |
3 |
Let not mercy and good faith go from you; let them be hanging round your neck, recorded on your heart; |
4 |
So you will have grace and a good name in the eyes of God and men. |
5 |
Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support. |
6 |
In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps. |
7 |
Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil: |
8 |
This will give strength to your flesh, and new life to your bones. |
9 |
Give honour to the Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase: |
10 |
So your store-houses will be full of grain, and your vessels overflowing with new wine. |
11 |
My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's teaching; do not be made angry by his training: |
12 |
For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain. |
13 |
Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge. |
14 |
For trading in it is better than trading in silver, and its profit greater than bright gold. |
15 |
She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her. |
16 |
Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour. |
17 |
Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace. |
18 |
She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her. |
19 |
The Lord by wisdom put in position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their place. |
20 |
By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from the skies. |
21 |
My son, keep good sense, and do not let wise purpose go from your eyes. |
22 |
So they will be life for your soul, and grace for your neck. |
23 |
Then you will go safely on your way, and your feet will have no cause for slipping. |
24 |
When you take your rest you will have no fear, and on your bed sleep will be sweet to you. |
25 |
Have no fear of sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers: |
26 |
For the Lord will be your hope, and will keep your foot from being taken in the net. |
27 |
Do not keep back good from those who have a right to it, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. |
28 |
Say not to your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you at the time. |
29 |
Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is living with you without fear. |
30 |
Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong. |
31 |
Have no envy of the violent man, or take any of his ways as an example. |
32 |
For the wrong-hearted man is hated by the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright. |
33 |
The curse of the Lord is on the house of the evil-doer, but his blessing is on the tent of the upright. |
34 |
He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted. |
35 |
The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish. |