1 ¶ My son, forget not my law, but let thine heart keep my commandments:

2 F or they shall add length of days and long life and peace unto thee.

3 L et not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck; write them upon the tablet of thine heart:

4 S o shalt thou find grace and good favour in the sight of God and man.

5 T rust in the LORD with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 I n all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.

8 I t shall be medicine to thy navel and marrow to thy bones.

9 H onour the LORD with thy substance and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

10 S o shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

11 M y son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

12 F or the LORD chastens whom he loves and delights in, even as a father to his son.

13 ¶ Blessed is the man that has found wisdom and who brings to light intelligence,

14 f or the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver and the fruits thereof more than fine gold.

15 S he is more precious than precious stones, and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

16 L ength of days is in her right hand and 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 those that lay hold upon her, and blessed is every one that retains her.

19 T he LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by intelligence has he established the heavens.

20 B y his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the heavens drop down the dew.

21 ¶ My son, do not let them depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion,

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

23 T hen shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

24 W hen thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

25 T hou shall not be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked when it comes.

26 F or the LORD shall be thy confidence and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

27 ¶ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

28 D o not say unto thy neighbour, Go and come again and tomorrow I will give when thou hast it by thee.

29 D o not devise evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwells securely by thee.

30 D o not sue a man without cause, if he has done thee no harm.

31 E nvy thou not the oppressor and choose none of his ways.

32 F or the perverse is an abomination to the LORD; but his secret is with the righteous.

33 T he curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked, but he shall bless the habitation of the just.

34 S urely he scorns the scorners; but he gives grace unto the humble.

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