English Standard Version

New Living Translation

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

1My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.

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

2If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.

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

3Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.

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

4Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.

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

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

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

6Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.

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

7Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

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

8Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.

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

9Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.

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

10Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.

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

11My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.

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

12For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.

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

13Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.

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

14For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.

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

15Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

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

16She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.

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

17She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.

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

18Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.

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

19By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens.

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

20By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky.

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

21My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them,

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

22for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace.

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

23They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble.

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

24You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.

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

25You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,

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

26for the LORD is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

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

27Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.

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

28If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

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

29Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you.

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

30Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm.

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

31Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways.

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

32Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD, but he offers his friendship to the godly.

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

33The LORD curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.

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

34The LORD mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.

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

35The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!

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.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.