PROVERBS 3 (NIV)
- My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,
- for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.
- Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
- Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.
- Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;
- in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.
- Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
- This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.
- Honor the Lord with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;
- then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine.
- My son, do not despise the Lord's disipline and do not resent his rebuke,
- because the Lord displines those who loves, as a father the son he delights in.
- Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding,
- for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.
- She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
- Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
- Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.
- She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.
- By wisdom the Lord laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place;
- by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew.
- My son, preserve sound judgment and discernment, do not let them out of your sight;
- they will be life for you, the ornament to grace your neck.
- Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble;
- when you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
- Have no fear of sudden disaster or the ruin that overtaken the wicked,
- for the Lord will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being snared.
- Do not withhold good from those who deserve it, when it is in your power to act.
- Do not say to your neighbor, "Come back later; I'll give it tomorrow." - when you now have it with you.
- Do not plot harm against your neighbor, who lives trustfully near you.
- Do not accuse a man for no reason - when he has done you no harm.
- Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways,
- for the Lord detests a perverse man but takes the upright into his confidence.
- The Lord's curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.
- He mocks proud mockers and gives grace to the humble.
- The wise inherit honor, but fools he holds up to shame.