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12 [a]Come, my children,[b] and listen to me;
    I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
13 Who among you delights in life
    and desires many years to enjoy prosperity?[c]
14 Then keep your tongue[d] from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.
15 Shun evil and do good;
    seek peace and pursue it.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 34:12 To gain wisdom entails two things: fearing the Lord and doing his will. The latter calls for integrity of language rather than deception (v. 14; see Jer 4:2), practicing good rather than evil (v. 15; see Ps 37:3, 27), and working for rather than against peace (vv. 15-16; see Ps 37:37; Mt 5:9; Rom 12:18; 14:19; Heb 12:14).
  2. Psalm 34:12 Children: a term (also translated as “simple” or “sons”) for students in Wisdom literature (see Prov 1:22; 4:1; 8:32; Sir 3:1; 23:7).
  3. Psalm 34:13 This verse is found word for word in an Egyptian text of the 18th dynasty (tomb of Ai) (see 1 Pet 3:10f).
  4. Psalm 34:14 Tongue: see note on Ps 5:10.

12 Whoever of you loves life(A)
    and desires to see many good days,
13 keep your tongue(B) from evil
    and your lips from telling lies.(C)
14 Turn from evil and do good;(D)
    seek peace(E) and pursue it.

15 The eyes of the Lord(F) are on the righteous,(G)
    and his ears are attentive(H) to their cry;

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