1 M y son, forget not my teaching, and let thy heart observe my commandments;

2 f or length of days, and years of life, and peace shall they add to thee.

3 L et not loving-kindness and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck, write them upon the tablet of thy heart:

4 a nd thou shalt find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

5 C onfide in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own intelligence;

6 i n all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths.

7 B e not wise in thine own eyes; fear Jehovah, and depart from evil:

8 i t shall be health for thy navel, and moisture for thy bones.

9 H onour Jehovah with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase;

10 s o shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine.

11 M y son, despise not the instruction of Jehovah, neither be weary of his chastisement;

12 f or whom Jehovah loveth he chasteneth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13 B lessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

14 F or the gain thereof is better than the gain of silver, and her revenue than fine gold.

15 S he is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not equal unto her.

16 L ength of days is in her right hand; in her left hand riches and honour.

17 H er ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

18 S he is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is he that retaineth her.

19 J ehovah by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens.

20 B y his knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.

21 M y son, let them not depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion:

22 s o shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy neck.

23 T hen shalt thou walk in thy way securely, and thy foot shall not stumble;

24 w hen thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid, but thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet.

25 B e not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the destruction of the wicked, when it cometh;

26 f or Jehovah shall be thy confidence, and he will keep thy foot from being taken.

27 W ithhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it.

28 S ay not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give, when thou hast it by thee.

29 D evise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

30 S trive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

31 E nvy not the man of violence, and choose none of his ways.

32 F or the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; but his secret is with the upright.

33 T he curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; but he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.

34 H e indeed scorneth the scorners; but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

35 T he wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of the foolish.