| New International Version (NIV) | New International Version (NIV) |
| 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, | 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, |
| 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. | 2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. |
| 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. | 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. |
| 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. | 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. |
| 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; | 5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; |
| 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. | 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. |
| 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. | 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. |
| 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. | 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. |
| 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; | 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; |
| 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. | 10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. |
| 11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, | 11 My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, |
| 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. | 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. |
| 13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, | 13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, |
| 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. | 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. |
| 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. | 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. |
| 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. | 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. |
| 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. | 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. |
| 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. | 18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. |
| 19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; | 19 By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; |
| 20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. | 20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. |
| 21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; | 21 My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight; |
| 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. | 22 they will be life for you, an ornament to grace your neck. |
| 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; | 23 Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble; |
| 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. | 24 when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet. |
| 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, | 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, |
| 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. | 26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared. |
| 27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. | 27 Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act. |
| 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"-- when you now have it with you. | 28 Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow"-- when you now have it with you. |
| 29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. | 29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you. |
| 30 Do not accuse a man for no reason-- when he has done you no harm. | 30 Do not accuse a man for no reason-- when he has done you no harm. |
| 31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, | 31 Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways, |
| 32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. | 32 for the LORD detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence. |
| 33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. | 33 The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. |
| 34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. | 34 He mocks proud mockers but gives grace to the humble. |
| 35 The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame. | 35 The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame. |
| Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) | Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |