Admonition to Follow the Way of Wisdom in Relationships with God and People63
3:1 My child,1
do not forget my teaching
but keep my commands in your heart,2
3:2 for they will bring3
length of days and years of life4
and they will add prosperity5
to you.
3:3 Do not let not love and faithfulness6
leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.7
3:4 Then you will find8
favor and good understanding9
in the sight of God and people.10
3:5 Trust11
in the LORD with all your heart12
and lean not13
on your own14
understanding;
3:6 in all your ways acknowledge Him,15
and He will make straight16
your paths.
3:7 Do not be wise in your own sight;
fear the LORD and turn away from evil.17
3:8 This will bring18
healing to your body19
and nourishment20
to your bones.21
3:9 Honor22
the LORD from your wealth
and from the firstfruits of all your ingathering;23
3:10 then your barns will be completely24
filled
and your vats25
will burst with new wine.
3:11 My child,26
do not despise the discipline of the LORD
and do not dread27
His rebuke
3:12 for whom the LORD loves He chastens,28
as a father29
the son He delights in.
3:13 Blessed30
is the one31
who finds wisdom,
and the one32
who obtains33
understanding,
3:14 for her profit34
is more profitable than silver
and her income35
better than gold.
3:15 She is more precious than rubies,
and none of the things you desire are comparable36
with her.
3:16 Long life37
is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.38
3:17 Her ways are the ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
3:18 She is a tree of life39
to those who hold on to her;
and each and everyone who grasp40
her will be blessed.41
3:19 The LORD by wisdom laid the foundation of the earth;
He established42
the heavens by understanding;
3:20 by His knowledge the watery deeps43
were broken open,44
and the clouds let the dew drop.45
3:21 My child,46
do not let them escape47
from your sight;
safeguard sound wisdom and discretion.48
3:22 And they will be life for you,49
and grace to adorn your neck.50
3:23 Then you will go on your way with security,
and your foot will not stumble.51
3:24 When you lie down you will not be filled with
fear,52
and when you lie down your sleep will be pleasant.53
3:25 Do not fear because of the sudden disaster54
or because of the devastation of the wicked55
when it comes,
3:26 for the LORD will be your confidence,56
and He will keep your foot from being caught.
3:27 Do not withhold good from those who need it,57
when it is58
within your power59
to do it.60
3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go and then return;
I will give it tomorrow”—when you have it with you.61
3:29 Do not plot62
evil against your neighbor
when63
he dwells by you trustfully.
3:30 Do not accuse64
anyone65
without a cause,
when he has not treated you wrong.66
3:31 Do not envy someone67
who is violent,68
and do not choose any of his ways,
3:32 for a devious person69
is an abomination70
to the LORD
but with the upright is His intimate counsel.71
3:33 The curse72
of the LORD is on the house73
of the wicked,74
but the home75
of the righteous He blesses.
3:34 He mocks proud mockers,76
but to the humble He gives grace.
3:35 The wise inherit honor,
but fools77
he lifts up for contempt.78