10:1 The Proverbs of Solomon:
A wise child 2 makes a father rejoice, 3
but a foolish child 4 is a grief to his mother. 5
3:1 My child, 7 do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep 8 my commandments,
3:2 for they will provide 9 a long and full life, 10
and they will add well-being 11 to you.
3:3 Do not let truth and mercy 12 leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart. 13
3:4 Then you will find 14 favor and good understanding, 15
in the sight of God and people. 16
3:5 Trust 17 in the Lord with all your heart, 18
and do not rely 19 on your own understanding. 20
3:6 Acknowledge 21 him in all your ways, 22
and he will make your paths straight. 23
3:7 Do not be wise in your own estimation; 24
fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 25
3:8 This will bring 26 healing to your body, 27
and refreshment 28 to your inner self. 29
3:9 Honor 30 the Lord from your wealth
and from the first fruits of all your crops; 31
3:10 then your barns will be filled completely, 32
and your vats 33 will overflow 34 with new wine.
3:11 My child, do not despise discipline from the Lord, 35
and do not loathe 36 his rebuke.
3:12 For the Lord disciplines 37 those he loves,
just as a father 38 disciplines 39 the son in whom he delights.
3:13 Blessed 40 is the one 41 who finds 42 wisdom,
and the one who obtains 43 understanding.
3:14 For her 44 benefit 45 is more profitable 46 than silver,
and her 47 gain 48 is better 49 than gold.
3:15 She is more precious than rubies,
and none of the things 50 you desire 51 can compare 52 with her. 53
3:16 Long life 54 is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
3:17 Her ways are very pleasant, 55
and all her paths are peaceful.
3:18 She is like 56 a tree of life 57 to those who obtain her, 58
and everyone who grasps hold of her will be blessed. 59
3:19 By wisdom the Lord laid the foundation of the earth; 60
he established the heavens by understanding. 61
3:20 By his knowledge the primordial sea 62 was broken open, 63
and the clouds drip down dew. 64
3:21 My child, do not let them 65 escape from your sight;
safeguard sound wisdom and discretion. 66
3:22 So 67 they will give 68 life to you, 69
and grace to adorn 70 your neck. 71
3:23 Then you will walk on your way 72 with security,
and you 73 will not stumble. 74
3:24 When 75 you lie down you will not be filled with fear; 76
when 77 you lie down your sleep will be pleasant. 78
3:25 You will not be afraid 79 of sudden 80 disaster, 81
or when destruction overtakes 82 the wicked; 83
3:26 for the Lord will be 84 the source of your confidence, 85
and he will guard your foot 86 from being caught in a trap. 87
3:27 Do not withhold good from those who need it, 88
when 89 you 90 have the ability 91 to help. 92
3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go! Return tomorrow
and I will give it,” when 93 you have it with you at the time. 94
3:29 Do not plot 95 evil against your neighbor
when 96 he dwells by you unsuspectingly.
3:30 Do not accuse 97 anyone 98 without legitimate cause, 99
if he has not treated you wrongly.
3:31 Do not envy a violent man, 100
and do not choose to imitate 101 any of his ways;
3:32 for one who goes astray 102 is an abomination 103 to the Lord,
but he reveals 104 his intimate counsel 105 to the upright.
3:33 The Lord’s curse 106 is on the household 107 of the wicked, 108
but he blesses 109 the home 110 of the righteous. 111
3:34 Although 112 he is scornful to arrogant scoffers, 113
yet 114 he shows favor to the humble. 115
3:35 The wise inherit honor,
but he holds fools up 116 to public contempt. 117