[1] My son, forget not my law; but let your heart keep my commandments:
[2] For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to you.
[3] Let not mercy and truth forsake you: bind them about your neck; write them on the table of your heart:
[4] So shall you find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. ¶
[5] Trust in the LORD with all your heart; and lean not to your own understanding.
[6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct your paths. ¶
[7] Be not wise in your own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
[8] It shall be health to your navel, and marrow to your bones.
[9] Honor the LORD with your substance, and with the first fruits of all your increase:
[10] So shall your barns be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst out with new wine. ¶
[11] My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
[12] For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son in whom he delights. ¶
[13] Happy is the man that finds wisdom, and the man that gets understanding.
[14] For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
[15] She is more precious than rubies: and all the things you can desire are not to be compared to her.
[16] Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor.
[17] Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
[18] She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and happy is every one that retains her.
[19] The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has he established the heavens.
[20] By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. ¶
[21] My son, let not them depart from your eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
[22] So shall they be life to your soul, and grace to your neck.
[23] Then shall you walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble.
[24] When you lie down, you shall not be afraid: yes, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.
[25] Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes.
[26] For the LORD shall be your confidence, and shall keep your foot from being taken. ¶
[27] Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
[28] Say not to your neighbor, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when you have it by you.
[29] Devise not evil against your neighbor, seeing he dwells securely by you. ¶
[30] Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done you no harm. ¶
[31] Envy you not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.
[32] For the fraudulent is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous. ¶
[33] The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the habitation of the just.
[34] Surely he scorns the scorners: but he gives grace to the lowly.
[35] The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.