Chapter 3

Proverbs

1My son, do not forget my teaching,but let your heart keep my commandments,2for length of days and years of lifeand peace they will add to you.3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;bind them around your neck;write them on the tablet of your heart.4So you will find favor and good successin the sight of God and man.5Trust in the LORD with all your heart,and do not lean on your own understanding.6In all your ways acknowledge him,and he will make straight your paths.7Be not wise in your own eyes;fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.8It will be healing to your fleshand refreshment to your bones.9Honor the LORD with your wealthand with the firstfruits of all your produce;10then your barns will be filled with plenty,and your vats will be bursting with wine.11My son, do not despise the LORD’s disciplineor be weary of his reproof,12for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,as a father the son in whom he delights.13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,and the one who gets understanding,14for the gain from her is better than gain from silverand her profit better than gold.15She is more precious than jewels,and nothing you desire can compare with her.16Long life is in her right hand;in her left hand are riches and honor.17Her ways are ways of pleasantness,and all her paths are peace.18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;those who hold her fast are called blessed.19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;by understanding he established the heavens;20by his knowledge the deeps broke open,and the clouds drop down the dew.21My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion,22and they will be life for your souland adornment for your neck.23Then you will walk on your way securely,and your foot will not stumble.24If you lie down, you will not be afraid;when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.25Do not be afraid of sudden terroror of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,26for the LORD will be your confidenceand will keep your foot from being caught.27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,when it is in your power to do it.28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.29Do not plan evil against your neighbor,who dwells trustingly beside you.30Do not contend with a man for no reason,when he has done you no harm.31Do not envy a man of violenceand do not choose any of his ways,32for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD,but the upright are in his confidence.33The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.34Toward the scorners he is scornful,but to the humble he gives favor.35The wise will inherit honor,but fools get disgrace.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated into any other language.