1 My son, don't forget my teaching; But let your heart keep my commandments:
|
2 For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to you.
|
3 Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
|
4 So you will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
|
5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don't lean on your own understanding.
|
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths.
|
7 Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
|
8 It will be health to your body, And nourishment to your bones.
|
9 Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of all your increase:
|
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
|
11 My son, don't despise Yahweh's discipline, Neither be weary of his reproof:
|
12 For whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; Even as a father the son in whom he delights.
|
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, The man who gets understanding.
|
14 For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, The profit of it better than fine gold.
|
15 She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.
|
16 Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.
|
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
|
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
|
19 By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.
|
20 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew.
|
21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
|
22 So they will be life to your soul, And grace for your neck.
|
23 Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble.
|
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
|
25 Don't be afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:
|
26 For Yahweh will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being taken.
|
27 Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do it.
|
28 Don't say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, Tomorrow I will give," When you have it by you.
|
29 Don't devise evil against your neighbor, Seeing he dwells securely by you.
|
30 Don't strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.
|
31 Don't envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.
|
32 For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, But his friendship is with the upright.
|
33 The curse of Yahweh is in the house of the wicked, But he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
|
34 Surely he mocks the mockers, But he gives grace to the humble.
|
35 The wise will inherit glory, But shame will be the promotion of fools.
|