1My son, do not forget my [a]teaching,

But have your heart comply with my commandments;

2For length of days and years of life

And peace they will add to you.

3Do not let kindness and truth leave you;

Bind them around your neck,

Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4So you will find favor and a good [b]reputation

In the sight of God and man.

5Trust in the LORD 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 the LORD and turn away from evil.

8It will be healing to your [c]body

And refreshment to your bones.

9Honor the LORD from your wealth,

And from the first of all your produce;

10Then your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11My son, do not reject the [d]discipline of the LORD

Or loathe His rebuke,

12For whom the LORD loves He disciplines,

Just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.

13Blessed is a person who finds wisdom,

And one who obtains understanding.

14For [e]her profit is better than the profit of silver,

And her produce better than gold.

15She is more precious than [f]jewels,

And nothing you desire compares with her.

16[g]Long life is in her right hand;

In her left hand are riches and honor.

17Her ways are pleasant ways,

And all her paths are peace.

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

And happy are those who hold on to her.

19The LORD founded the earth by wisdom,

He established the heavens by understanding.

20By His knowledge the ocean depths were burst open,

And the clouds drip with dew.

21My son, see that they do not escape from your sight;

Comply with sound wisdom and discretion,

22And they will be life to your soul

And adornment to your neck.

23Then you will walk in your way securely,

And your foot will not stumble.

24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25Do not be afraid of sudden danger,

Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

26For the LORD will be [h]your confidence,

And will keep your foot from being caught.

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

When it is in your power to do it.

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

And tomorrow I will give it to you,”

When you have it with you.

29Do not devise harm against your neighbor,

While he lives securely beside you.

30Do not contend with a person for no reason,

If he has done you no harm.

31Do not envy a violent person,

And do not choose any of his ways.

32For the devious are an abomination to the LORD;

But [j]He is intimate with the upright.

33The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,

But He blesses the home of the righteous.

34Though He scoffs at the scoffers,

Yet He gives grace to the needy.

35The wise will inherit honor,

But fools [k]increase dishonor.