New King James Version

Christian Standard Bible

1My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;

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

2For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.

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

3Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,

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

4And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

4Then you will find favor and high regard with 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 acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

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

7Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil.

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

8It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

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

9Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

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

10So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

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

11My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction;

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

12For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

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

13Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;

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

14For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.

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

15She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

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

16Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.

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

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

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

18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.

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

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

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

20By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew.

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

21My son, let them not depart from your eyes— Keep sound wisdom and discretion;

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

22So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck.

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

23Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble.

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

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

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

25Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

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

26For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.

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

27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.

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

28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.

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

29Do not devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.

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

30Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.

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

31Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways;

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

32For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD, But His secret counsel is with the upright.

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

33The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just.

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

34Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.

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

35The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

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

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

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