1My son, do not forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commandments;

2for length of days and years of life

and abundant welfare will they give you.

3Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you;

bind them about your neck,

write them on the tablet of your heart.

43.4: Rom 12.17.So you will find favour and good repute3.4 Cn: Heb understanding

in the sight of God and man.

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart,

and do not rely on your own insight.

6In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.

73.7: Rom 12.16.Be not wise in your own eyes;

fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8It will be healing to your flesh3.8 Heb navel

and refreshment3.8 Or medicine to your bones.

9Honour the LORD with your substance

and with the first fruits of all your produce;

10then your barns will be filled with plenty,

and your vats will be bursting with wine.

113.11-12: Heb 12.5-6.My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline

or be weary of his reproof,

12for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,

as a father the son in whom he delights.

13Happy is the man who finds wisdom,

and the man who gets understanding,

14for the gain from it is better than gain from silver

and its profit better than gold.

15She is more precious than jewels,

and nothing you desire can compare with her.

16Long life is in her right hand;

in her left hand are riches and honour.

17Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

and all her paths are peace.

18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;

those who hold her fast are called happy.

19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;

by understanding he established the heavens;

20by his knowledge the deeps broke forth,

and the clouds drop down the dew.

21My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion;

let them not escape from your sight,3.21 Reversing the order of the clauses

22and they will be life for your soul

and adornment for your neck.

23Then you will walk on your way securely

and your foot will not stumble.

24If you sit down,3.24 Gk: Heb lie down you will not be afraid;

when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25Do not be afraid of sudden panic,

or of the ruin3.25 Heb storm of the wicked, when it comes;

26for the LORD will be your confidence

and will keep your foot from being caught.

27Do not withhold good from those to whom it3.27 Heb Do not withhold good from its owners is due,

when it is in your power to do it.

28Do not say to your neighbour, “Go, and come again,

tomorrow I will give it” — when you have it with you.

29Do not plan evil against your neighbour

who dwells trustingly beside you.

30Do not contend with a man for no reason,

when he has done you no harm.

31Do not envy a man of violence

and do not choose any of his ways;

32for the perverse man is an abomination to the LORD,

but the upright are in his confidence.

33The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,

but he blesses the abode of the righteous.

343.34 (Gk): Jas 4.6; 1 Pet 5.5.Toward the scorners he is scornful,

but to the humble he shows favour.

35The wise will inherit honour,

but fools get3.35 Cn: Heb exalt disgrace.