Proverbs 3

The Rewards of Wisdom
1My son, do not forget my teaching,
            But let your heart keep my commandments;

      2For length of days and years of life
            And peace they will add to you.

      3Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
            Bind them around your neck,
            Write them on the tablet of your heart.

      4So you will find favor and good repute
            In the sight of God and man.

      5Trust in the LORD with all your heart
            And do not lean on your own understanding.

      6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
            And He will make your paths straight.

      7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
            Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

      8It will be healing to your body
            And refreshment to your bones.

      9Honor the LORD from your wealth
            And from the first of all your produce;

      10So your barns will be filled with plenty
            And your vats will overflow with new wine.

      11My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD
            Or loathe His reproof,

      12For whom the LORD loves He reproves,
            Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

      13How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
            And the man who gains understanding.

      14For her profit is better than the profit of silver
            And her gain better than fine gold.

      15She is more precious than jewels;
            And nothing you desire compares with her.

      16Long life is in her right hand;
            In her left hand are riches and honor.

      17Her ways are pleasant ways
            And all her paths are peace.

      18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
            And happy are all who hold her fast.

      19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth,
            By understanding He established the heavens.

      20By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
            And the skies drip with dew.

      21My son, let them not vanish from your sight;
            Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

      22So they will be life to your soul
            And adornment to your neck.

      23Then you will walk in your way securely
            And your foot will not stumble.

      24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
            When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

      25Do not be afraid of sudden fear
            Nor of the onslaught 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 it is due,
            When it is in your power to do it.

      28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
            And tomorrow I will give it,”
            When you have it with you.

      29Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
            While he lives securely beside you.

      30Do not contend with a man without cause,
            If he has done you no harm.

      31Do not envy a man of violence
            And do not choose any of his ways.

      32For the devious are an abomination to the LORD;
            But He is intimate with the upright.

      33The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
            But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

      34Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
            Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.

      35The wise will inherit honor,
            But fools display dishonor.