[1] My son, don`t forget my teaching; But let your heart keep my
commandments: [2] For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will
they add to you. [3] Don`t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them
around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. [4] So you
will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
[5] Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don`t lean on your own
understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct
your paths. [7] Don`t be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart
from evil. [8] It will be health to your body, And nourishment to your
bones. [9] Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of
all your increase: [10] So your barns will be filled with plenty, And
your vats will overflow with new wine. [11] My son, don`t despise Yahweh`s
discipline, Neither be weary of his reproof: [12] For whom Yahweh loves,
he reproves; Even as a father the son in whom he delights. [13] Happy is
the man who finds wisdom, The man who gets understanding. [14] For the
gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, The profit of it
better than fine gold. [15] She is more precious than rubies. None of
the things you can desire are to be compared to her. [16] Length of days is
in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. [17] Her ways
are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. [18] She is a tree of
life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
[19] By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, he
established the heavens. [20] By his knowledge, the depths were broken up,
And the skies drop down the dew. [21] My son, let them not depart from
your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion: [22] So they will be life
to your soul, And grace for your neck. [23] Then you shall walk in your
way securely. Your foot won`t stumble. [24] When you lie down, you will
not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
[25] Don`t be afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the
wicked, when it comes: [26] For Yahweh will be your confidence, And will
keep your foot from being taken. [27] Don`t withhold good from those to
whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do it. [28]
Don`t say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, Tomorrow I will give,"
When you have it by you. [29] Don`t devise evil against your neighbor,
Seeing he dwells securely by you. [30] Don`t strive with a man without
cause, If he has done you no harm. [31] Don`t envy the man of violence.
Choose none of his ways. [32] For the perverse is an abomination to
Yahweh, But his friendship is with the upright. [33] The curse of Yahweh
is in the house of the wicked, But he blesses the habitation of the
righteous. [34] Surely he mocks the mockers, But he gives grace to the
humble. [35] The wise will inherit glory, But shame will be the
promotion of fools.
