Proverbs 3

Good News Translation

Advice to the Young

3 My child, don't forget what I teach you. Always remember what I tell you to do. ²My teaching will give you a long and prosperous life. ³Never let go of loyalty and faithfulness. Tie them around your neck; write them on your heart. ⁴^(A)If you do this, both God and people will be pleased with you.

⁵Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. ⁶Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way. ⁷^(B)Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong. ⁸If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains. ⁹Honor the Lord by making him an offering from the best of all that your land produces. ¹⁰If you do, your barns will be filled with grain, and you will have too much wine to store it all.

¹¹^(C)My child, when the Lord corrects you, pay close attention and take it as a warning. ¹²^(D)The Lord corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud. ¹³Happy is anyone who becomes wise—who comes to have understanding. ¹⁴There is more profit in it than there is in silver; it is worth more to you than gold. ¹⁵Wisdom is more valuable than jewels; nothing you could want can compare with it. ¹⁶Wisdom offers you long life, as well as wealth and honor. ¹⁷Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it. ¹⁸Those who become wise are happy; wisdom will give them life.

¹⁹The Lord created the earth by his wisdom;
by his knowledge he set the sky in place.
²⁰His wisdom caused the rivers to flow
and the clouds to give rain to the earth.

²¹My child, hold on to your wisdom and insight. Never let them get away from you. ²²They will provide you with life—a pleasant and happy life. ²³You can go safely on your way and never even stumble. ²⁴You will not be afraid when you go to bed, and you will sleep soundly through the night. ²⁵You will not have to worry about sudden disasters, such as come on the wicked like a storm. ²⁶The Lord will keep you safe. He will not let you fall into a trap.

²⁷^(E)Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. ²⁸Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now. ²⁹Don't plan anything that will hurt your neighbors; they live beside you, trusting you. ³⁰Don't argue with others for no reason when they have never done you any harm. ³¹Don't be jealous of violent people or decide to act as they do, ³²because the Lord hates people who do evil, but he takes righteous people into his confidence. ³³The Lord puts a curse on the homes of the wicked, but blesses the homes of the righteous. ³⁴^(F)He has no use for conceited people, but shows favor to those who are humble. ³⁵Wise people will gain an honorable reputation, but stupid people will only add to their own disgrace.