3
Guidance for the Young
1My son, do not forget my law,
⚓But let your heart keep my commands;
2For length of days and long life
And ⚓peace they will add to you.
3Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
⚓Bind them around your neck,
⚓Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4⚓And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
5⚓Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
⚓And lean not on your own understanding;
6⚓In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7Do not be wise in your own ⚓eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
8It will be health to your flesh,
And ⚓strength to your bones.
9⚓Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10⚓So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11⚓My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
12For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
⚓Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
13⚓Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
14⚓For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
15She is more precious than rubies,
And ⚓all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16⚓Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
17⚓Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
18She is⚓a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
19⚓The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
20By His knowledge the depths were ⚓broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.
21My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
22So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
23⚓Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
25⚓Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
26For 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 the power of your hand to do so.
28⚓Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
29Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
30⚓Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
31⚓Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
32For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,
⚓But His secret counsel is with the upright.
33⚓The curse of the Lordis on the house of the wicked,
But ⚓He blesses the home of the just.
34⚓Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
35The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.