1 - My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
2 - for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity.
3 - Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 - Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
5 - Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
6 - in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.
7 - Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 - This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
9 - Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 - then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
11 - My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline, and do not resent his rebuke,
12 - because the Lord disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
13 - Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,
14 - for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
15 - She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 - Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 - Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
18 - She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed.
19 - By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 - by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 - My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight, preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 - they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck.
23 - Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble.
24 - When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 - Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 - for the Lord will be at your side and will keep your foot from being snared.
27 - Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.
28 - Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back tomorrow and I'll give it to you" - when you already have it with you.
29 - Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
30 - Do not accuse anyone for no reason - when they have done you no harm.
31 - Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways.
32 - For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 - The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 - He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
35 - The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame.