Proverbs 3   (New International Version)

Further Benefits of Wisdom

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

 ² for they will prolong your life many years
       and bring you prosperity.

 ³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
       bind them around your neck,
       write them on the tablet of your heart.

 ⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
       in the sight of God and man.

 ⁵ Trust in the LORD with all your heart
       and lean not on your own understanding;

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

 ⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
       fear the LORD and shun evil.

 ⁸ This will bring health to your body
       and nourishment to your bones.

 ⁹ Honor the LORD with your wealth,
       with the firstfruits of all your crops;

 ¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
       and your vats will brim over with new wine.

 ¹¹ My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline
       and do not resent his rebuke,

 ¹² because the LORD disciplines those he loves,
       as a father  the son he delights in.

 ¹³ Blessed is the man who finds wisdom,
       the man who gains understanding,

 ¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
       and yields better returns than gold.

 ¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;
       nothing you desire can compare with her.

 ¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
       in her left hand are riches and honor.

 ¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
       and all her paths are peace.

 ¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
       those who lay hold of her will be blessed.

 ¹⁹ By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations,
       by understanding he set the heavens in place;

 ²⁰ by his knowledge the deeps were divided,
       and the clouds let drop the dew.

 ²¹ My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment,
       do not let them out of your sight;

 ²² they will be life for you,
       an ornament to grace your neck.

 ²³ Then you will go on your way in safety,
       and your foot will not stumble;

 ²⁴ when you lie down, you will not be afraid;
       when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

 ²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster
       or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,

 ²⁶ for the LORD will be your confidence
       and will keep your foot from being snared.

 ²⁷ Do not withhold good from those who deserve it,
       when it is in your power to act.

 ²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor,
       "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"—
       when you now have it with you.

 ²⁹ Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
       who lives trustfully near you.

 ³⁰ Do not accuse a man for no reason—
       when he has done you no harm.

 ³¹ Do not envy a violent man
       or choose any of his ways,

 ³² for the LORD detests a perverse man
       but takes the upright into his confidence.

 ³³ The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,
       but he blesses the home of the righteous.

 ³⁴ He mocks proud mockers
       but gives grace to the humble.

 ³⁵ The wise inherit honor,
       but fools he holds up to shame.