Trust, Fear, and Honor Yahweh

1My son, do not forget my [†]law,

But let your heart guard my commandments;

2For length of days and years of life

And peace they will add to you.

3Do not let lovingkindness and truth forsake you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4So you will find favor and good insight

In the eyes of God and man.

5Trust in Yahweh with all your heart

And do not lean on your own understanding.

6In all your ways [†]acknowledge Him,

And He will make your paths straight.

7Do not be wise in your own eyes;

Fear Yahweh and turn away from evil.

8It will be healing to your [†]body

And refreshment to your bones.

9Honor Yahweh from your wealth

And from the first of all your produce;

10So your barns will be filled with plenty

And your vats will burst with new wine.

11My son, do not reject the [†]discipline of Yahweh

Or loathe His reproof,

12For whom Yahweh loves He reproves,

Even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

13How blessed is the man who finds wisdom

And the man who obtains discernment.

14For her profit is better than the profit of silver

And her produce better than fine gold.

15She is more precious than [†]pearls;

And nothing you desire compares with her.

16Length of days is in her right hand;

In her left hand are riches and glory.

17Her ways are pleasant ways

And all her pathways are peace.

18She is a tree of life to those who seize her,

And all those who hold her fast are blessed.

19Yahweh by wisdom founded the earth,

By discernment He established the heavens.

20By His knowledge the deeps were split up

And the skies drip with dew.

21My son, let them not deviate from your eyes;

Guard sound wisdom and discretion,

22So they will be life for your soul

And grace for your neck.

23Then you will walk in your way securely

And your foot will not stumble.

24When you lie down, you will not be in dread;

You will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

25Do not be afraid of sudden dread

Nor of the storm of the wicked when it comes;

26For Yahweh will be [†]your confidence

And will keep your foot from being caught.

27Do not withhold good from [†]those to whom it is due,

When it is in your hand to do it.

28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,

And tomorrow I will give it,”

When it is there with you.

29Do not devise [†]harm against your neighbor,

While he lives securely beside you.

30Do not contend with a man without cause,

If he has dealt you no [†]harm.

31Do not envy a man of violence

And do not choose any of his ways.

32For the devious one is an abomination to Yahweh;

But His secret council is with the upright.

33The curse of Yahweh is on the house of the wicked one,

But He blesses the abode of the righteous.

34Though He scoffs at the scoffers,

Yet He gives grace to the humble.

35The wise will inherit glory,

But [†]fools raise up disgrace.