1 M y son, don’t forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments:

2 f or length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you.

3 D on’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 S o you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

5 T rust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.

6 I n all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

7 D on’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.

8 I t will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.

9 H onor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase:

10 s o your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 M y son, don’t despise Yahweh’s discipline, neither be weary of his reproof:

12 f or whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

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

14 F or her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.

15 S he is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

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

17 H er ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.

18 S he is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

19 B y wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.

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

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

22 s o they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.

23 T hen you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble.

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

25 D on’t be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:

26 f or Yahweh will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.

27 D on’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

28 D on’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you.

29 D on’t devise evil against your neighbor, since he dwells securely by you.

30 D on’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.

31 D on’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.

32 F or the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, but his friendship is with the upright.

33 Y ahweh’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.

34 S urely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.

35 T he wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.