Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version

1My son, don't forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands;

1My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

2for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being.

2for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

3Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

4Then you will find favor and high regard with God and people.

4So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.

6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

7Don't be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

7Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.

8It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

9Honor the LORD with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest;

9Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11Do not despise the LORD's instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline;

11My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,

12for the LORD disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.

12for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

13Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding,

13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

14for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.

14for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

15She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire can equal her.

15She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

16Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor.

16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

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

17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

18She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy.

18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

19The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.

19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;

20By his knowledge the watery depths broke open, and the clouds dripped with dew.

20by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21Maintain sound wisdom and discretion. My son, don't lose sight of them.

21My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22They will be life for you and adornment for your neck.

22and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.

23Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble.

23Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.

24When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

24If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25Don't fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,

25Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,

26for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.

26for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

27When it is in your power, don't withhold good from the one to whom it belongs.

27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

28Don't say to your neighbor, "Go away! Come back later. I'll give it tomorrow"--when it is there with you.

28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

29Don't plan any harm against your neighbor, for he trusts you and lives near you.

29Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.

30Don't accuse anyone without cause, when he has done you no harm.

30Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

31Don't envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;

31Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,

32for the devious are detestable to the LORD, but he is a friend to the upright.

32for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.

33The LORD's curse is on the household of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous;

33The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

34He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble.

34Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

35The wise will inherit honor, but he holds up fools to dishonor.

35The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.