| 1 My son,do not forget my instruction, my commands; keep them in your heart. | |
| 2 For they will bring you length of days, years of life and peace. | |
| 3 Let loyalty and kindness never leave you; tie them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, | |
| 4 that you may find favor and a good name in the eyes of God and people. | |
| 5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart; do not rely on your own insight. | |
| 6 Let his presence pervade all your ways and he will protect your foot from the snare. | |
| 7 Do not consider yourself wise, fear God, and turn away from evil. | |
| 8 This will be a medicine to your body and a relief to your bones. | |
| 9 Honor Yahweh, giving him from what you have, the first fruits of all your produce. | |
| 10 Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, your vats will brim over with wine. | |
| 11 My son, do not scorn the discipline of Yahweh; do not ignore his correction. | |
| 12 For Yahweh corrects those he loves, as a father does his beloved son. | |
| 13 Happy the one who finds wisdom and gains insight. | |
| 14 For she is of more value than silver and more useful than gold. | |
| 15 She is more precious than pearls; nothing you could wish for would compare with her. | |
| 16 With her right hand she offers you length of days, with her left, riches and glory. | |
| 17 She leads you through delightful ways; all her roads are peace. | |
| 18 She is a tree of life for those who clasp her; those who possess her are happy. | |
| 19 It is by his wisdom that Yahweh founded the earth; by his understanding that he made firm the heavens. | |
| 20 By his knowledge the depths were scooped out, and the clouds rained down dew. | |
| 21 My son, hold on to sound judgment and discretion and do not let them out of your sight. | |
| 22 They will give life to your inner self, and adorn your neck. | |
| 23 Then you can go your way safely and your foot will not stumble. | |
| 24 You will have no fear when you lie down and your sleep will be peaceful. | |
| 25 You will not fear sudden terror or the attack of evildoers. | |
| 26 For Yahweh is at your side and he guards your steps from the snare. | |
| 27 Do not hold back from those who ask your help, when it is in your power to do it. | |
| 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come another time; tomorrow I will give it to you!” when you can help him now. | |
| 29 Do not plot evil against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you, | |
| 30 nor fight a man without cause when he has done you no wrong. | |
| 31 Do not envy the man of violence or follow his example. | |
| 32 For Yahweh hates the wicked but guides the honest. | |
| 33 He curses the house of the evildoer but blesses the home of the upright. | |
| 34 If there are mockers, he mocks them in turn but he shows his favor to the humble. | |
| 35 The wise will possess his glory while the foolish will inherit disgrace. | |
