Proverbs Monthly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.^(AT)
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
    who lives trustfully near you.^(AU)
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
    when they have done you no harm.

³¹ Do not envy^(AV) the violent
    or choose any of their ways.

³² For the Lord detests the perverse^(AW)
    but takes the upright into his confidence.^(AX)
33 The Lord’s curse^(AY) is on the house of the wicked,^(AZ)
    but he blesses the home of the righteous.^(BA)
34 He mocks^(BB) proud mockers^(BC)
    but shows favor to the humble^(BD) and oppressed.
³⁵ The wise inherit honor,
    but fools get only shame.