Proverbs 3:1-19

¹My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

²for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace.

³Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴So you will find favour, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

⁵Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.

⁶In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

⁷Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

⁸It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.

⁹Honour the LORD with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase;

¹⁰so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

¹¹My son, don’t despise the LORD’s discipline, neither be weary of his correction;

¹²for whom the LORD loves, he corrects, even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

¹³Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.

¹⁴For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.

¹⁵She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

¹⁶Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honour.

¹⁷Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.

¹⁸She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

¹⁹By wisdom the LORD founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.