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11 My son, despise not the [a]chastening of Jehovah;
Neither be weary of his reproof:
12 For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth,
Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,
And the man that [b]getteth understanding.
14 For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver,
And the profit thereof than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies:
And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her.
16 Length of days is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her:
And happy is every one that retaineth her.
19 Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding he established the heavens.
20 By his knowledge the depths were broken up,
And the skies drop down the dew.
21 My son, let them not depart from thine eyes;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul,
And grace to thy neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely,
And [c]thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid:
Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear,
Neither of the [d]desolation of the wicked, when it cometh:
26 For Jehovah will be thy confidence,
And will keep thy foot from being taken.

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of thy hand to do it.
28 Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again,
And to-morrow I will give;
When thou hast it by thee.
29 Devise not evil against thy neighbor,
Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.
30 Strive not with a man without cause,
If he have done thee no harm.
31 Envy thou not the man of violence,
And choose none of his ways.
32 For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah;
But his [e]friendship is with the upright.
33 The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked;
But he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.
34 [f]Surely he scoffeth at the scoffers;
[g]But he giveth grace unto the lowly.
35 The wise shall inherit glory;
But [h]shame shall be the promotion of fools.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:11 Or, instruction
  2. Proverbs 3:13 Hebrew draweth forth.
  3. Proverbs 3:23 Hebrew thou shalt not dash thy foot.
  4. Proverbs 3:25 Or, storm
  5. Proverbs 3:32 Or, counsel
  6. Proverbs 3:34 Or, Though
  7. Proverbs 3:34 Or, Yet
  8. Proverbs 3:35 Or, fools carry away shame

11 My son,(A) do not despise the Lord’s discipline,(B)
    and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,(C)
    as a father the son he delights in.[a](D)

13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.(E)
15 She is more precious than rubies;(F)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.(G)
16 Long life is in her right hand;(H)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.(I)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.(J)
18 She is a tree of life(K) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.(L)

19 By wisdom(M) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,(N)
    by understanding he set the heavens(O) in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
    and the clouds let drop the dew.

21 My son,(P) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,(Q)
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,(R)
    an ornament to grace your neck.(S)
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,(T)
    and your foot will not stumble.(U)
24 When you lie down,(V) you will not be afraid;(W)
    when you lie down, your sleep(X) will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side(Y)
    and will keep your foot(Z) from being snared.(AA)

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.(AB)
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
    who lives trustfully near you.(AC)
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
    when they have done you no harm.

31 Do not envy(AD) the violent
    or choose any of their ways.

32 For the Lord detests the perverse(AE)
    but takes the upright into his confidence.(AF)
33 The Lord’s curse(AG) is on the house of the wicked,(AH)
    but he blesses the home of the righteous.(AI)
34 He mocks(AJ) proud mockers(AK)
    but shows favor to the humble(AL) and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honor,
    but fools get only shame.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:12 Hebrew; Septuagint loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child