Trust in the LORD with All Your Heart

1My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart guard my precepts.

2For they shall set before you length of days, and years of life, and peace.

3Let not mercy and truth abandon you: encircle them around your throat, and inscribe them on the tablets of your heart.

4And so shall you discover grace and good discipline, in the sight of God and men.

5Have confidence in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend upon your own prudence.

6In all your ways, consider him, and he himself will direct your steps.

7Do not seem wise to yourself. Fear God, and withdraw from evil.

8Certainly, it shall be health to your navel, and refreshment to your bones.

9Honor the Lord with your substance, and give to him from the first of all your fruits,

10and then your storehouses will be filled with abundance, and your presses shall overflow with wine.

11My son, do not discard the discipline of the Lord, and do not fall away when you are corrected by him.

12For whomever the Lord loves, he corrects, and just as a father does with a son, he wins him over.

The Blessings of Wisdom

13Blessed is the man who finds wisdom and who advances to prudence.

14Her acquisition is better than trading in silver, and her fruit is better than the first and purest gold.

15She is more precious than all riches, and all that can be desired cannot prevail in comparison to her.

16Length of days is at her right hand, and at her left hand is wealth and glory.

17Her ways are beautiful ways, and all her paths are peaceful.

18She is a tree of life to those who overtake her, and he who shall take hold of her is blessed.

19The Lord founded the earth on wisdom. He secured the heavens with prudence.

20By his wisdom, the abyss erupted and the clouds increased with dew.

21My son, let not these things move away from your eyes. Preserve law as well as counsel.

22And so shall there be life in your soul and grace in your voice.

23Then you shall walk confidently in your way, and your feet will not stumble.

24When you slumber, you shall not fear. When you rest, your sleep also will be sweet.

25Do not fear unexpected terror, nor the power of the impious falling upon you.

26For the Lord will be at your side, and he will guard your feet, so that you may not be seized.

27Do not prevent him who is able from doing good. When you are able, do good yourself too.

28Do not say to your friend: “Go away, and then return. Tomorrow I will give to you.” When you are able to do so, give in the present.

29Do not undertake evil against your friend, even though he has trust in you.

30Do not contend against a man without cause, even though he has done no evil to you.

31Do not rival an unjust man, and do not imitate his ways.

32For everyone who ridicules is an abomination to the Lord, and his communication is for the simple.

33Destitution in the house of the impious is from the Lord. But the habitations of the just shall be blessed.

34He will ridicule those who ridicule, but he will bestow grace upon the mild.

35The wise will possess glory. The exaltation of the foolish is disgraceful.