Proverbs 3
Trust in the LORD
My son, don't forget anything that I teach,
but let your heart keep the commandments I preach;
for they will add years to your life, if you do,
with peace and prosperity granted to you.
Wear mercy and truth as a necklace you own,
inscribed on your heart as a tablet of stone.
Then you'll be successful and also will find
you're highly esteemed by both God and mankind.
Oh, trust in the LORD with your heart and your soul,
lean not on the things that you think you control.
Acknowledge him in everything that you do,
and he will make straight every pathway for you.
Do not be impressed with the breadth of your mind;
but, fear in the LORD and leave evil behind.
Then this will bring health to your body and flesh,
and moisten your marrow to make your bones fresh.
And honor the LORD with possessions you own,
and with the first fruits of all produce you've grown;
with much grain and corn will your barns then be filled;
your vats will burst forth with new wine and be spilled.
Despise not, my son, the LORD's chastened rebuke,
nor loathe and resent his corrective reproof.
The ones whom the LORD loves are those whom he'll chide,
as fathers correcting their sons at their side.
How blest is the man who finds wisdom and learns,
who gains understanding and rightly discerns.
The profit from wisdom beats silver that's sold;
her revenue gained is far greater than gold.
More precious than rubies is wisdom, for sure;
for nothing desired is equal to her.
Within her right hand is our future and health;
and her left hand carries our glory and wealth.
Her ways are as pleasant as you'll ever know;
her paths will be peaceful wherever you go.
To those who take hold, she's a life-giving tree;
to those holding fast to her, blest will they be.
By wisdom, the LORD had earth's foundations laid;
by his understanding, the heavens were made.
And, by the LORD's knowledge, deep fountains broke through,
from out of the clouds came forth droplets of dew.
My son, don't let wisdom escape from your sight;
hold on to discretion with all of your might,
for they will be life for you, if they're not scorned;
like jewels on a necklace your neck has adorned.
Whenever you lie down, it won't be with fright;
whenever you lie down, you'll sleep through the night.
Fear not sudden terror or storms blowing in,
nor looming attacks of those dealing in sin;
because LORD Jehovah is close by your side,
removing the snares at your feet others hide.
Withhold not the good from the one who is due,
whenever the power to act is with you.
If you have the means to help someone, don't say,
I'll help you tomorrow, come back in a day.
Do not harm your neighbor, in thought or in deed;
as neighbors, they trust that you won't make them bleed.
Do not pick a fight without reason or cause,
if they have not harmed you nor given you pause.
Don't envy the violent or those causing strife,
don't follow their ways or example in life.
The LORD hates the wicked and vile with his might,
but he has a friendship with those who live right.
God curses the house of those dealing in sin,
but blesses the homes that the righteous live in.
The LORD mocks the mockers and scorns those who scorn,
yet favors the lowly and those humbly-born.
Both glory and honor, the wise man will claim,
but fools have dishonor and eternal shame.
My son, don't forget anything that I teach,
but let your heart keep the commandments I preach;
for they will add years to your life, if you do,
with peace and prosperity granted to you.
Wear mercy and truth as a necklace you own,
inscribed on your heart as a tablet of stone.
Then you'll be successful and also will find
you're highly esteemed by both God and mankind.
Oh, trust in the LORD with your heart and your soul,
lean not on the things that you think you control.
Acknowledge him in everything that you do,
and he will make straight every pathway for you.
Do not be impressed with the breadth of your mind;
but, fear in the LORD and leave evil behind.
Then this will bring health to your body and flesh,
and moisten your marrow to make your bones fresh.
And honor the LORD with possessions you own,
and with the first fruits of all produce you've grown;
with much grain and corn will your barns then be filled;
your vats will burst forth with new wine and be spilled.
Despise not, my son, the LORD's chastened rebuke,
nor loathe and resent his corrective reproof.
The ones whom the LORD loves are those whom he'll chide,
as fathers correcting their sons at their side.
How blest is the man who finds wisdom and learns,
who gains understanding and rightly discerns.
The profit from wisdom beats silver that's sold;
her revenue gained is far greater than gold.
More precious than rubies is wisdom, for sure;
for nothing desired is equal to her.
Within her right hand is our future and health;
and her left hand carries our glory and wealth.
Her ways are as pleasant as you'll ever know;
her paths will be peaceful wherever you go.
To those who take hold, she's a life-giving tree;
to those holding fast to her, blest will they be.
By wisdom, the LORD had earth's foundations laid;
by his understanding, the heavens were made.
And, by the LORD's knowledge, deep fountains broke through,
from out of the clouds came forth droplets of dew.
My son, don't let wisdom escape from your sight;
hold on to discretion with all of your might,
for they will be life for you, if they're not scorned;
like jewels on a necklace your neck has adorned.
Whenever you lie down, it won't be with fright;
whenever you lie down, you'll sleep through the night.
Fear not sudden terror or storms blowing in,
nor looming attacks of those dealing in sin;
because LORD Jehovah is close by your side,
removing the snares at your feet others hide.
Withhold not the good from the one who is due,
whenever the power to act is with you.
If you have the means to help someone, don't say,
I'll help you tomorrow, come back in a day.
Do not harm your neighbor, in thought or in deed;
as neighbors, they trust that you won't make them bleed.
Do not pick a fight without reason or cause,
if they have not harmed you nor given you pause.
Don't envy the violent or those causing strife,
don't follow their ways or example in life.
The LORD hates the wicked and vile with his might,
but he has a friendship with those who live right.
God curses the house of those dealing in sin,
but blesses the homes that the righteous live in.
The LORD mocks the mockers and scorns those who scorn,
yet favors the lowly and those humbly-born.
Both glory and honor, the wise man will claim,
but fools have dishonor and eternal shame.
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