Proverbs 3 (New International Version)

Further Benefits of Wisdom

1 My son,¹ do not forget my teaching,² but keep my commands in your heart, 2 for they will prolong your life many years³ and bring you prosperity.⁴ 3 Let love and faithfulness⁵ never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.⁶ 4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.⁷ 5 Trust in the LORD⁸ with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths⁹ straight.^a10 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;¹¹ fear the LORD¹² and shun evil.¹³ 8 This will bring health to your body¹⁴ and nourishment to your bones.¹⁵ 9 Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits¹⁶ of all your crops; 10 then your barns will be filled¹⁷ to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.¹⁸ 11 My son,¹⁹ do not despise the LORD's discipline²⁰ and do not resent his rebuke, 12 because the LORD disciplines those he loves,²¹ as a father^b the son he delights in.²² 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.²³ 15 She is more precious than rubies;²⁴ nothing you desire can compare with her.²⁵ 16 Long life is in her right hand;²⁶ in her left hand are riches and honor.²⁷ 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.²⁸ 18 She is a tree of life²⁹ to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.³⁰ 19 By wisdom³¹ the LORD laid the earth's foundations,³² by understanding he set the heavens³³ in place; 20 by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. 21 My son,³⁴ preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;³⁵ 22 they will be life for you,³⁶ an ornament to grace your neck.³⁷ 23 Then you will go on your way in safety,³⁸ and your foot will not stumble;³⁹ 24 when you lie down,⁴⁰ you will not be afraid;⁴¹ when you lie down, your sleep⁴² will be sweet. 25 Have no fear of sudden disaster or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked, 26 for the LORD will be your confidence⁴³ and will keep your foot⁴⁴ from being snared.⁴⁵ 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.⁴⁶ 29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.⁴⁷ 30 Do not accuse a man for no reason-- when he has done you no harm. 31 Do not envy⁴⁸ a violent man or choose any of his ways, 32 for the LORD detests a perverse man⁴⁹ but takes the upright into his confidence.⁵⁰ 33 The LORD's curse⁵¹ is on the house of the wicked,⁵² but he blesses the home of the righteous.⁵³ 34 He mocks⁵⁴ proud mockers⁵⁵ but gives grace to the humble.⁵⁶ 35 The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.