Proverbs 3

New International Version

• 1. My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
• 2. for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
• 3. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
• 4. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
• 5. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
• 6. in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
• 7. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil.
• 8. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
• 9. Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
• 10. then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
• 11. My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke,
• 12. because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
• 13. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
• 14. for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
• 15. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
• 16. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
• 17. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
• 18. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
• 19. By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;
• 20. by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
• 21. My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;
• 22. they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
• 23. Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble;
• 24. when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
• 25. Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
• 26. for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
• 27. Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
• 28. Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"- when you now have it with you.
• 29. Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
• 30. Do not accuse a man for no reason- when he has done you no harm.
• 31. Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways,
• 32. for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.
• 33. The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
• 34. He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble.
• 35. The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.

New International Version