The Proverbs

⭑ Literal Standard Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 3 -

A blessing of wisdom

My son! Do not forget my law, || And let your heart keep my commands,

For [the] length of [your] days and years, || Life and peace they add to you.

Do not let kindness and truth forsake you, || Bind them on your neck, || Write them on the tablet of your heart,

And find grace and good understanding || In the eyes of God and man.

Trust to YHWH with all your heart, || And do not lean to your own understanding.

In all your ways know Him, || And He makes your paths straight.

Do not be wise in your own eyes, || Fear YHWH, and turn aside from evil.

It is healing to your navel, || And moistening to your bones.

Honor YHWH from your substance, || And from the beginning of all your increase;

And your barns are filled [with] plenty, || And your presses break forth [with] new wine.

Discipline of YHWH, my son, do not despise, || And do not be distressed with His reproof,

For whom YHWH loves He reproves, || Even as a father the son He is pleased with.

Wisdom is more valuable than riches

O the blessedness of a man [who] has found wisdom, || And of a man [who] brings forth understanding.

For better [is] her merchandise || Than the merchandise of silver, || And than gold—her increase.

She [is] precious above rubies, || And all your pleasures are not comparable to her.

Length of days [is] in her right hand, || In her left [are] wealth and honor.

Her ways [are] ways of pleasantness, || And all her paths [are] peace.

She [is] a tree of life to those laying hold on her, || And whoever is retaining her [is] blessed.

YHWH founded the earth by wisdom, || He prepared the heavens by understanding.

By His knowledge depths have been broken, || And clouds drop dew.

The ways of the wise

My son! Do not let them turn from your eyes, || Keep wisdom and thoughtfulness,

And they are life to your soul, and grace to your neck.

Then you go your way confidently, || And your foot does not stumble.

If you lie down, you are not afraid, || Indeed, you have lain down, || And your sleep has been sweet.

Do not be afraid of sudden fear, || And of the desolation of the wicked when it comes.

For YHWH is at your side, || And He has kept your foot from capture.

Do not withhold good from its owners, || When your hand [is] toward God to do [it].

Do not say to your friend, || “Go, and return, and tomorrow I give,” || When substance [is] with you.

Do not devise evil against your neighbor, || And he sitting confidently with you.

Do not strive with a man without cause, || If he has not done you evil.

Do not be envious of a man of violence, || Nor fix on any of his ways.

For the perverted [is] an abomination to YHWH, || And His secret counsel [is] with the upright.

The curse of YHWH [is] in the house of the wicked. And He blesses the habitation of the righteous.

If He scorns the scorners, || Yet He gives grace to the humble.

The wise inherit glory, || And fools are bearing away shame!

A blessing of wisdom

My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace.

Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.

Honor the LORD with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase;

so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

My son, don’t despise the LORD’s discipline, neither be weary of his correction;

for whom the LORD loves, he corrects, even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

Wisdom is more valuable than riches

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.

For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

By wisdom the LORD founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.

By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.

The ways of the wise

My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.

Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.

Don’t be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes;

for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.

Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you.

Don’t devise evil against your neighbor, since he dwells securely by you.

Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.

Don’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.

For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD, but his friendship is with the upright.

The LORD’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.

Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.

The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.