| Holman Christian Standard Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1My son, don't forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; | 1My son, don't forget my instruction, and keep my commandments carefully in mind. |
| 2for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being. | 2For they will add length to your days, years to your life, and abundant peace to you. |
| 3Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. | 3Do not let gracious love and truth leave you. Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, |
| 4Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man. | 4and find favor and a good reputation with God and men. |
| 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 depend on your own understanding. |
| 6think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths. | 6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. |
| 7Don't consider yourself to be wise; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. | 7Do not be wise in your own opinion. Fear the LORD and turn away from evil. |
| 8This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones. | 8This will bring healing to your body, 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 first of all your produce, |
| 10then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine. | 10so your barns will be filled with abundance, and your vats will burst open with new wine. |
| 11Do not despise the LORD's instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline; | 11My son, do not reject the LORD's discipline, and do not despise his correction, |
| 12for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in. | 12because the LORD corrects the person he loves, just as a father corrects the son he delights in. |
| 13Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding, | 13How joyful is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding, |
| 14for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold. | 14because her profit is better than the profit of silver, and her yield than fine gold. |
| 15She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her. | 15She is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her. |
| 16Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor. | 16Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are riches and honor. |
| 17Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful. | 17Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceful. |
| 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 for those who embrace her, and whoever clutches her tightly will be joyful. |
| 19The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. | 19By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, and by understanding he set the heavens in place. |
| 20By His knowledge the watery depths broke open, and the clouds dripped with dew. | 20By his knowledge the depths broke open, and the clouds drip with dew. |
| 21Maintain your competence and discretion. My son, don't lose sight of them. | 21My son, do not let wisdom leave your sight. Carefully observe sound judgment and discernment, |
| 22They will be life for you and adornment for your neck. | 22and they will be life to you and a graceful ornament for your neck. |
| 23Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble. | 23Then you will travel safely on your way, 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. | 24When you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant. |
| 25Don't fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, | 25Do not be afraid of sudden disaster, or the devastation that comes to the wicked. |
| 26for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare. | 26Indeed, the LORD will be your confidence, and he will keep your foot from being caught. |
| 27When it is in your power, don't withhold good from the one it belongs to. | 27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. |
| 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 back. I will pay you tomorrow," when you have cash with you. |
| 29Don't plan any harm against your neighbor, for he trusts you and lives near you. | 29Do not plan to harm your neighbor, when he is living peacefully beside you. |
| 30Don't accuse anyone without cause, when he has done you no harm. | 30Do not bring a lawsuit against a person 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 violent man, and do not emulate his lifestyle. |
| 32for the devious are detestable to the LORD, but He is a friend to the upright. | 32Indeed, a perverse man is utterly disgusting to the LORD, but he takes the upright into 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. | 34Though God scoffs at scoffers, he gives grace to the humble. |
| 35The wise will inherit honor, but He holds up fools to dishonor. | 35The wise will inherit honor, but he holds fools up for ridicule. |
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