[1] My son, keep my teaching in your memory, and my rules in your heart:
[2] For they will give you increase of days, years of life, and peace. [3]
Let not mercy and good faith go from you; let them be hanging round your
neck, recorded on your heart; [4] So you will have grace and a good name in
the eyes of God and men. [5] Put all your hope in God, not looking to your
reason for support. [6] In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make
straight your footsteps. [7] Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear
of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil: [8] This will give
strength to your flesh, and new life to your bones. [9] Give honour to the
Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase: [10]
So your store-houses will be full of grain, and your vessels overflowing
with new wine. [11] My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's
teaching; do not be made angry by his training: [12] For to those who are
dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has
delight undergo pain. [13] Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom,
and he who gets knowledge. [14] For trading in it is better than trading in
silver, and its profit greater than bright gold. [15] She is of more value
than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in
comparison with her. [16] Long life is in her right hand, and in her left
are wealth and honour. [17] Her ways are ways of delight, and all her
goings are peace. [18] She is a tree of life to all who take her in their
hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her. [19] The Lord by wisdom put in
position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their
place. [20] By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping
from the skies. [21] My son, keep good sense, and do not let wise purpose
go from your eyes. [22] So they will be life for your soul, and grace for
your neck. [23] Then you will go safely on your way, and your feet will
have no cause for slipping. [24] When you take your rest you will have no
fear, and on your bed sleep will be sweet to you. [25] Have no fear of
sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers: [26] For the
Lord will be your hope, and will keep your foot from being taken in the
net. [27] Do not keep back good from those who have a right to it, when it
is in the power of your hand to do it. [28] Say not to your neighbour, Go,
and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you at the
time. [29] Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is
living with you without fear. [30] Do not take up a cause at law against a
man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong. [31] Have no envy of the
violent man, or take any of his ways as an example. [32] For the
wrong-hearted man is hated by the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright.
[33] The curse of the Lord is on the house of the evil-doer, but his
blessing is on the tent of the upright. [34] He makes sport of the men of
pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted. [35] The wise will have
glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish.
