English Standard Version ESV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,
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My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;
2 for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
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for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you.
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
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Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.
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So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and of people.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
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Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
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In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
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Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.
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It will be a healing for your flesh and a refreshment for your body.
9 Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
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Honor the Lord with your substance and with the first fruits of all your produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
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then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,
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My child, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
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for the Lord reproves the one he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,
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Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding,
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.
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for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
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She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
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Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
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Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.
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She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.
19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;
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The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
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by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, do not lose sight of these—keep sound wisdom and discretion,
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My child, do not let these escape from your sight: keep sound wisdom and prudence,
22 and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
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and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.
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Then you will walk on your way securely and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
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If you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
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Do not be afraid of sudden panic, or of the storm that strikes the wicked;
26 for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
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for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
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Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
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Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"—when you have it with you.
29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.
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Do not plan harm against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you.
30 Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.
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Do not quarrel with anyone without cause, when no harm has been done to you.
31 Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,
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Do not envy the violent and do not choose any of their ways;
32 for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
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for the perverse are an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
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The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the abode of the righteous.
34 Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.
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Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he shows favor.
35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.
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The wise will inherit honor, but stubborn fools, disgrace.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.