Proverbs 3

Trust in the Lord with all your heart

My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.a ²If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.b ³Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.c

⁴Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.d ⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.e ⁶Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.f

⁷Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.g ⁸Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.h ⁹Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.i

¹⁰Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.j ¹¹My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.k ¹²For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.l

Wisdom is more precious than jewels

¹³Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.m ¹⁴For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.n ¹⁵Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.

¹⁶She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.o ¹⁷She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.p ¹⁸Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.q

¹⁹By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens.r ²⁰By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky. ²¹My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them,s ²²for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace.

²³They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. ²⁴You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.t ²⁵You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,u ²⁶for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.v

²⁷Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.w ²⁸If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”x ²⁹Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you.

³⁰Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm. ³¹Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways.y ³²Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly.z

³³The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.aa ³⁴The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.ab ³⁵The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!