Proverbs 3 - Christian Standard Bible Anglicised

Trust the Lord

¹ My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands;

² for they will bring you many days, a full life,  , and well-being.

³ Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them round your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

⁴ Then you will find favour and high regard with God and people.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;

⁶ in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight.

⁷ Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil.

⁸ This will be healing for your body  , and strengthening for your bones.

⁹ Honour the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest;

¹⁰ then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

¹¹ Do not despise the  Lord’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe his discipline;

¹² for the Lord disciplines the one he loves, just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.

Wisdom Brings Happiness

¹³ Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding,

¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.

¹⁵ She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire can equal her.

¹⁶ Long life  is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honour.

¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful.

¹⁸ She is a tree of life  to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy.

¹⁹ The Lord founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.

²⁰ By his knowledge the watery depths broke open, and the clouds dripped with dew.

²¹ Maintain sound wisdom and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them.

²² They will be life for you  , and adornment  for your neck.

²³ Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble.

²⁴ When you lie  down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

²⁵ Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,

²⁶ for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.

Treat Others Fairly

²⁷ When it is in your power, don’t withhold good  from the one to whom it belongs.

²⁸ Don’t say to your neighbour, ‘Go away! Come back later. I’ll give it tomorrow’ #– #when it is there with you.

²⁹ Don’t plan any harm against your neighbour, for he trusts you and lives near you.

³⁰ Don’t accuse anyone without cause, when he has done you no harm.

³¹ Don’t envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;

³² for the devious are detestable to the  Lord, but he is a friend  to the upright.

³³ The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous;

³⁴ He mocks those who mock but gives grace to the humble.

³⁵ The wise will inherit honour, but he holds up fools to dishonour.