1 M y son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;

My son, do not forget my teaching. Let your heart keep my words.

2 F or length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.

For they will add to you many days and years of life and peace.

3 L et not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,

Do not let kindness and truth leave you. Tie them around your neck. Write them upon your heart.

4 A nd so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

So you will find favor and good understanding in the eyes of God and man.

5 T rust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not trust in your own understanding.

6 I n all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.

Agree with Him in all your ways, and He will make your paths straight.

7 D o not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

Do not be wise in your own eyes. Fear the Lord and turn away from what is sinful.

8 I t will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

It will be healing to your body and medicine to your bones.

9 H onor the Lord with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

Honor the Lord with your riches, and with the first of all you grow.

10 S o your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

Then your store-houses will be filled with many good things and your barrels will flow over with new wine.

11 M y son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor detest His correction;

My son, listen when the Lord punishes you. Do not give up when He tells you what you must do.

12 F or whom the Lord loves He corrects, Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

The Lord punishes everyone He loves. He whips every son He receives.

13 H appy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding.

14 F or her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.

For it is better than getting silver and fine gold.

15 S he is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

She is worth more than stones of great worth. Nothing you can wish for compares with her.

16 L ength of days is in her right hand, In her left hand riches and honor.

Long life is in her right hand. Riches and honor are in her left hand.

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

Her ways are pleasing, and all her paths are peace.

18 S he is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.

She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her. Happy are all who hold her near.

19 T he Lord by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding He established the heavens;

The Lord built the earth by wisdom. He built the heavens by understanding.

20 B y His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew.

By what He knows, the seas were broken up and water falls from the sky.

21 M y son, let them not depart from your eyes— Keep sound wisdom and discretion;

My son, do not allow them to leave your eyes. Keep perfect wisdom and careful thinking.

22 S o they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck.

And they will be life to your soul and a chain of beauty to your neck.

23 T hen you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble.

Then you will be safe as you walk on your way, and your foot will not trip.

24 W hen you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

You will not be afraid when you lie down. When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 D o not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

Do not be afraid of fear that comes all at once. And do not be afraid of the storm of the sinful when it comes.

26 F or the Lord will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.

For the Lord will be your trust. He will keep your foot from being caught.

27 D o not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do so.

Do not keep good from those who should have it, when it is in your power to do it.

28 D o not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it, ” When you have it with you.

Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and return tomorrow, and I will give it,” when you have it with you.

29 D o not devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.

Do not plan for your neighbor to be hurt, while he trusts you enough to live beside you.

30 D o not strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.

Do not fight with a man for no reason, when he has done you no wrong.

31 D o not envy the oppressor, And choose none of his ways;

Do not be jealous of a man who hurts others, and do not choose any of his ways.

32 F or the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord, But His secret counsel is with the upright.

For the bad man is hated by the Lord, but He is near to those who are right with Him.

33 T he curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just.

The punishment of the Lord is on the house of the sinful, but He makes good come to the house of those who are right with Him.

34 S urely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.

God makes fun of those who make fun of the truth but gives loving-favor to those who have no pride.

35 T he wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

Honor will be given to the wise, but shame will be given to fools.