New King James Version

New Living Translation

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

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

2For length of days and long 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 mercy and truth 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.

4And so find favor and high esteem 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 lean not 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 shall direct your paths.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

12For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

16Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand 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 take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.

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 depths were broken up, And 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, let them not depart from your eyes— Keep sound wisdom and discretion;

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

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

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

23Then you will walk safely in your way, And 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; Yes, you will lie down and 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, Nor of trouble from 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 the power of your hand to do so.

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 back, And 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 devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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