3:1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
3:2 for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you.
3:3 Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
3:4 So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.
3:5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
3:7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
3:8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
3:9 Honor the LORD with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce;
3:10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
3:11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline or be weary of his reproof,
3:12 for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
3:13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding,
3:14 for the gain from it is better than gain from silver and its profit better than gold.
3:15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
3:16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
3:18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.
3:19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;
3:20 by his knowledge the deeps broke forth, and the clouds drop down the dew.
3:21 My son, keep sound wisdom and discretion; let them not escape from your sight,
3:22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
3:23 Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble.
3:24 If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
3:25 Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes;
3:26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
3:27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
3:28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it" -- when you have it with you.
3:29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor who dwells trustingly beside you.
3:30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
3:31 Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways;
3:32 for the perverse man is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.
3:33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous.
3:34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor.
3:35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.
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