1 M y son, do not forget my teaching. Let your heart keep my words.

2 F or they will add to you many days and years of life and peace.

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

4 S o 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 do not trust in your own understanding.

6 A gree 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 turn away from what is sinful.

8 I t will be healing to your body and medicine to your bones.

9 H onor the Lord with your riches, and with the first of all you grow.

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

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

12 T he Lord punishes everyone He loves. He whips every son He receives.

13 H appy is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding.

14 F or it is better than getting silver and fine gold.

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

16 L ong life is in her right hand. Riches and honor are in her left hand.

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

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

19 T he Lord built the earth by wisdom. He built the heavens by understanding.

20 B y what He knows, the seas were broken up and water falls from the sky.

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

22 A nd they will be life to your soul and a chain of beauty to your neck.

23 T hen you will be safe as you walk on your way, and your foot will not trip.

24 Y ou will not be afraid when you lie down. When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 D o 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 trust. He will keep your foot from being caught.

27 D o 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 return tomorrow, and I will give it,” when you have it with you.

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

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

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

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

33 T he 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 G od makes fun of those who make fun of the truth but gives loving-favor to those who have no pride.

35 H onor will be given to the wise, but shame will be given to fools.