Proverbs — Chapter 3

My son, do not forget my teaching,But let your mind retain my commandments;

For they will bestow on you length of days,Years of life and well-being.

Let fidelity and steadfastness not leave you;Bind them about your throat,Write them on the tablet of your mind,

And you will find favor and approbationIn the eyes of God and human beings.

Trust in GOD with all your heart,And do not rely on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge [God],And your paths will be made smooth.

Do not be wise in your own eyes;Fear GOD and shun evil.

It will be a cure for your body,abody Lit. “navel.” A tonic for your bones.

Honor GOD with your wealth,With the best of all your income,

And your barns will be filled with grain,Your vats will burst with new wine.

Do not reject GOD’s discipline, my son;Do not abhor such rebuke.

For whom GOD loves, [God] rebukes,As a father the son whom he favors.

Happy is the one who finds wisdom,The one who attains understanding.

HerbHer See note at 1.20. value in trade is better than silver,Her yield, greater than gold.

She is more precious than rubies;All of your goods cannot equal her.

In her right hand is length of days,In her left, riches and honor.

Her ways are pleasant ways,And all her paths, peaceful.

She is a tree of life to those who grasp her,And whoever holds on to her is happy.

GOD founded the earth by wisdomAnd established the heavens by understanding;

By God’s knowledge the depths burst apart,And the skies distilled dew.

My son, do not lose sight of them;Hold on to resourcefulness and foresight.

They will give life to your spiritAnd grace to your throat.

Then you will go your way safelyAnd not injure your feet.

When you lie down you will be unafraid;You will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

You will not fear sudden terrorOr the disaster that comes upon the wicked,

For GOD will be your trustAnd will keep your feet from being caught.

Do not withhold good from those who deserve itWhen you have the power to do it [for them].

Do not say to your fellow, “Come back again;I’ll give it to you tomorrow,” when you have it with you.

Do not devise harm against your fellowWho lives trustfully with you.

Do not quarrel with someone for no cause,When they have done you no harm.

Do not envy a lawless man,Or choose any of his ways;

For the one who goes astray is an abomination to GOD,But the straightforward are intimates.

GOD’s curse is on the house of the evildoer,But the abode of the righteous is blessed.

At scoffers [God] scoffs,But the lowly are shown grace.

The wise shall obtain honor,But dullards get disgrace as their portion.