3:1 My son, don't forget my teaching; But let your heart keep my commandments:
3:2 For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to you.
3:3 Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
3:4 So you will find favor, And good understanding in the sight of God and man.
3:5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don't lean on your own understanding.
3:6 In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths.
3:7 Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
3:8 It will be health to your body, And nourishment to your bones.
3:9 Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits 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, don't despise Yahweh's discipline, Neither be weary of his reproof:
3:12 For whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; Even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.
3:13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, The man who gets understanding.
3:14 For her good profit is better than getting silver, And her return is better than fine gold.
3:15 She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.
3:16 Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.
3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
3:18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
3:19 By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.
3:20 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, And the skies 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 for your neck.
3:23 Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't 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 Don't be afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:
3:26 For Yahweh will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being taken.
3:27 Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do it.
3:28 Don't say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, Tomorrow I will give it to you," When you have it by you.
3:29 Don't devise evil against your neighbor, Seeing he dwells securely by you.
3:30 Don't strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.
3:31 Don't envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.
3:32 For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, But his friendship is with the upright.
3:33 Yahweh's curse is in the house of the wicked, But he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
3:34 Surely he mocks the mockers, But he gives grace to the humble.
3:35 The wise will inherit glory, But shame will be the promotion of fools.