1
|
My son, keep my teaching in your memory, and my rules in your heart: |
2
|
For they will give you increase of days, years of life, and peace. |
3
|
Let not mercy and good faith go from you; let them be hanging round your neck, recorded on your heart; |
4
|
So you will have grace and a good name in the eyes of God and men. |
5
|
Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support. |
6
|
In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps. |
7
|
Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil: |
8
|
This will give strength to your flesh, and new life to your bones. |
9
|
Give honour to the Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase: |
10
|
So your store-houses will be full of grain, and your vessels overflowing with new wine.
|
11
|
My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's teaching; do not be made angry by his training: |
12
|
For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain. |
13
|
Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge. |
14
|
For trading in it is better than trading in silver, and its profit greater than bright gold. |
15
|
She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her. |
16
|
Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour. |
17
|
Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace. |
18
|
She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her. |
19
|
The Lord by wisdom put in position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their place. |
20
|
By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from the skies. |
21
|
My son, keep good sense, and do not let wise purpose go from your eyes. |
22
|
So they will be life for your soul, and grace for your neck. |
23
|
Then you will go safely on your way, and your feet will have no cause for slipping. |
24
|
When you take your rest you will have no fear, and on your bed sleep will be sweet to you. |
25
|
Have no fear of sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers: |
26
|
For the Lord will be your hope, and will keep your foot from being taken in the net. |
27
|
Do not keep back good from those who have a right to it, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. |
28
|
Say not to your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you at the time. |
29
|
Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is living with you without fear. |
30
|
Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong. |
31
|
Have no envy of the violent man, or take any of his ways as an example. |
32
|
For the wrong-hearted man is hated by the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright. |
33
|
The curse of the Lord is on the house of the evil-doer, but his blessing is on the tent of the upright. |
34
|
He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted. |
35
|
The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish. |