Proverbs 3:1-26

New International Version

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

3 My son,^(A) do not forget my teaching,^(B)
but keep my commands in your heart,
²for they will prolong your life many years^(C)
and bring you peace and prosperity.^(D)

³Let love and faithfulness^(E) never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.^(F)
⁴Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.^(G)

⁵Trust in the Lord^(H) with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths^(I) straight.^[a]^(J)

⁷Do not be wise in your own eyes;^(K)
fear the Lord^(L) and shun evil.^(M)
⁸This will bring health to your body^(N)
and nourishment to your bones.^(O)

⁹Honor the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits^(P) of all your crops;
¹⁰then your barns will be filled^(Q) to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.^(R)

¹¹My son,^(S) do not despise the Lord’s discipline,^(T)
and do not resent his rebuke,
¹²because the Lord disciplines those he loves,^(U)
as a father the son he delights in.^[b]^(V)

¹³Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
¹⁴for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.^(W)
¹⁵She is more precious than rubies;^(X)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.^(Y)
¹⁶Long life is in her right hand;^(Z)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.^(AA)
¹⁷Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.^(AB)
¹⁸She is a tree of life^(AC) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.^(AD)

¹⁹By wisdom^(AE) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,^(AF)
by understanding he set the heavens^(AG) in place;
²⁰by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.

²¹My son,^(AH) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,^(AI)
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²²they will be life for you,^(AJ)
    an ornament to grace your neck.^(AK)
²³Then you will go on your way in safety,^(AL)
    and your foot will not stumble.^(AM)
²⁴When you lie down,^(AN) you will not be afraid;^(AO)
    when you lie down, your sleep^(AP) will be sweet.
²⁵Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
²⁶for the Lord will be at your side^(AQ)
    and will keep your foot^(AR) from being snared.^(AS)