Proverbs

¹ My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,

² and bring you prosperity.

³ bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ in the sight of God and man.

⁵ and lean not on your own understanding;

⁶ and he will make your paths straight.

⁷ fear the Lord and shun evil.

⁸ and nourishment to your bones.

⁹ with the firstfruits of all your crops;

¹⁰ and your vats will brim over with new wine.

¹¹ and do not resent his rebuke,

¹² as a father the son he delights in.

¹³ the man who gains understanding,

¹⁴ and yields better returns than gold.

¹⁵ nothing you desire can compare with her.

¹⁶ in her left hand are riches and honor.

¹⁷ and all her paths are peace.

¹⁸ those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

¹⁹ by understanding he set the heavens in place;

²⁰ and the clouds let drop the dew.

²¹ do not let them out of your sight;

²² an ornament to grace your neck.

²³ and your foot will not stumble;

²⁴ when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

²⁵ or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

²⁶ and will keep your foot from being snared.

²⁷ when it is in your power to act.

²⁸ “Come back later; I’ll give it tomorrow”— when you now have it with you.

²⁹ who lives trustfully near you.

³⁰ when he has done you no harm.

³¹ or choose any of his ways,

³² but takes the upright into his confidence.

³³ but he blesses the home of the righteous.

³⁴ but gives grace to the humble.

³⁵ but fools he holds up to shame.