| 3:1 | Guidance for the YoungGuidance for the Young My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; |
| 3:2 | For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. |
| 3:3 | Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, |
| 3:4 | And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man. |
| 3:5 | Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; |
| 3:6 | In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. |
| 3:7 | Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. |
| 3:8 | It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones. |
| 3:9 | Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase; |
| 3:10 | So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine. |
| 3:11 | My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction; |
| 3:12 | For whom the LORD loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights. |
| 3:13 | Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; |
| 3:14 | For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. |
| 3:15 | She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her. |
| 3:16 | Length of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor. |
| 3:17 | Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. |
| 3:18 | She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her. |
| 3:19 | The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens; |
| 3:20 | By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew. |
| 3:21 | My son, let them not depart from your eyes-- Keep sound wisdom and discretion; |
| 3:22 | So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck. |
| 3:23 | Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble. |
| 3:24 | When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet. |
| 3:25 | Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes; |
| 3:26 | For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught. |
| 3:27 | Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so. |
| 3:28 | Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you. |
| 3:29 | Do not devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety's sake. |
| 3:30 | Do not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm. |
| 3:31 | Do not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways; |
| 3:32 | For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD, But His secret counsel is with the upright. |
| 3:33 | The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just. |
| 3:34 | Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. |
| 3:35 | The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools. |