1 M y son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

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

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

4 S o shalt thou find favour and good understanding 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 B e not wise in thine own eyes: fear the Lord, and depart from evil.

8 I t shall be health 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, despise not the chastening of the Lord; neither be weary of his correction:

12 F or whom the Lord loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

13 H appy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

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

15 S he is more precious than rubies: 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 them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

19 T he Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

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

21 M y son, let not 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 B e not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

26 F or the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall 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 thine 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 thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

32 F or the froward is 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 blesseth the habitation of the just.

34 S urely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

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