Proverbs

The Proverbs, chapter 3, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 3 New English Translation

Exhortations to Seek Wisdom and Walk with the LORD

   1 My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
   2 for they will provide a long and full life, and they will add well-being to you.
   3 Do not let truth and mercy leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
   4 Then you will find favor and good understanding, in the sight of God and people.
   5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding.
   6 Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.
   7 Do not be wise in your own estimation; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
   8 This will bring healing to your body, and refreshment to your inner self.
   9 Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first fruits of all your crops;
   10 then your barns will be filled completely, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
   11 My child, do not despise discipline from the LORD, and do not loathe his rebuke.
   12 For the LORD disciplines those he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.

Blessings of Obtaining Wisdom

   13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who obtains understanding.
   14 For her benefit is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than gold.
   15 She is more precious than rubies, and none of the things 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 very pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful.
   18 She is like a tree of life to those who obtain her, and everyone who grasps hold of her will be blessed.
   19 By wisdom the LORD laid the foundation of the earth; he established the heavens by understanding.
   20 By his knowledge the primordial sea was broken open, and the clouds drip down dew.
   21 My child, do not let them escape from your sight; safeguard sound wisdom and discretion.
   22 So they will give life to you, and grace to adorn your neck.
   23 Then you will walk on your way with security, and you will not stumble.
   24 When you lie down you will not be filled with fear; when you lie down your sleep will be pleasant.
   25 You will not be afraid of sudden disaster, or when destruction overtakes the wicked;
   26 for the LORD will be the source of your confidence, and he will guard your foot from being caught in a trap.

Wisdom Demonstrated in Relationships with People

   27 Do not withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help.
   28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go! Return tomorrow and I will give it, " when you have it with you at the time.
   29 Do not plot evil against your neighbor when he dwells by you unsuspectingly.
   30 Do not accuse anyone without legitimate cause, if he has not treated you wrongly.
   31 Do not envy a violent man, and do not choose to imitate any of his ways;
   32 for one who goes astray is an abomination to the LORD, but he reveals his intimate counsel to the upright.
   33 The LORD's curse is on the household of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
   34 Although he is scornful to arrogant scoffers, yet he shows favor to the humble.
   35 The wise inherit honor, but he holds fools up to public contempt.

King James Version

   1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
   2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.
   3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
   4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
   5 ¶ Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
   6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
   7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
   8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.
   9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
   10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
   11 ¶ My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
   12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
   13 ¶ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.
   14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
   15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
   16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
   17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
   18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
   19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.
   20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
   21 ¶ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
   22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
   23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
   24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
   25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
   26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
   27 ¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.
   28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
   29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
   30 ¶ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
   31 ¶ Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
   32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
   33 ¶ The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
   34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
   35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.