New International Version | NET Bible |
1My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, | 1My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, |
2for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. | 2for they will provide a long and full life, and they will add well-being to you. |
3Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. | 3Do not let truth and mercy leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. |
4Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. | 4Then you will find favor and good understanding, in the sight of God and people. |
5Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; | 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. |
6in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. | 6Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight. |
7Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. | 7Do not be wise in your own estimation; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. |
8This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. | 8This will bring healing to your body, and refreshment to your inner self. |
9Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; | 9Honor the LORD from your wealth and from the first fruits of all your crops; |
10then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. | 10then your barns will be filled completely, and your vats will overflow with new wine. |
11My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke, | 11My child, do not despise discipline from the LORD, and do not loathe his rebuke. |
12because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. | 12For the LORD disciplines those he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights. |
13Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, | 13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who obtains understanding. |
14for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. | 14For her benefit is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than gold. |
15She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. | 15She is more precious than rubies, and none of the things you desire can compare with her. |
16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. | 16Long 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. | 17Her ways are very pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful. |
18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. | 18She is like a tree of life to those who obtain her, and everyone who grasps hold of her will be blessed. |
19By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; | 19By wisdom the LORD laid the foundation of the earth; he established the heavens by understanding. |
20by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. | 20By his knowledge the primordial sea was broken open, and the clouds drip down dew. |
21My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion; | 21My child, do not let them escape from your sight; safeguard sound wisdom and discretion. |
22they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. | 22So they will give life to you, and grace to adorn your neck. |
23Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. | 23Then you will walk on your way with security, and you will not stumble. |
24When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. | 24When you lie down you will not be filled with fear; when you lie down your sleep will be pleasant. |
25Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, | 25You will not be afraid of sudden disaster, or when destruction overtakes the wicked; |
26for the LORD will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared. | 26for the LORD will be the source of your confidence, and he will guard 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 act. | 27Do not withhold good from those who need it, when you have the ability to help. |
28Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you"-- when you already have it with you. | 28Do not say to your neighbor, "Go! Return tomorrow and I will give it," when you have it with you at the time. |
29Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. | 29Do not plot evil against your neighbor when he dwells by you unsuspectingly. |
30Do not accuse anyone for no reason-- when they have done you no harm. | 30Do not accuse anyone without legitimate cause, if he has not treated you wrongly. |
31Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways. | 31Do not envy a violent man, and do not choose to imitate any of his ways; |
32For the LORD detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. | 32for one who goes astray is an abomination to the LORD, but he reveals his intimate counsel to the upright. |
33The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. | 33The LORD's curse is on the household of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. |
34He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. | 34Although he is scornful to arrogant scoffers, yet he shows favor to the humble. |
35The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame. | 35The wise inherit honor, but he holds fools up to public contempt. |
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