Holman Christian Standard Bible

New Living Translation

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

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

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

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

3Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie 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.

4Then you will find favor and high regard 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 rely on your own understanding;

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

6think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.

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

7Don't consider yourself to be wise; 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.

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

8Then you will have healing for your body and strength for 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 best part of everything you produce.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares 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, riches and honor.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

21Maintain your competence and discretion. My son, don't lose sight of them.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

25Don't fear sudden danger or 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 a snare.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

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.