Proverbs 3:1-18

New American Standard Bible

The Rewards of Wisdom

3 My son, ^(A)do not forget my ^[a]teaching,
But have your heart ^(B)comply with my commandments;
²For ^(C)length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
³Do not let ^(D)kindness and truth leave you;
^(E)Bind them around your neck,
^(F)Write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴So you will ^(G)find favor and a ^(H)good ^[b]reputation
In the sight of God and man.
⁵^(I)Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And ^(J)do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶In all your ways ^(K)acknowledge Him,
And He will ^(L)make your paths straight.
⁷^(M)Do not be wise in your own eyes;
^(N)Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
⁸It will be ^(O)healing to your ^[c]body
And ^(P)refreshment to your bones.
⁹^(Q)Honor the Lord from your wealth,
And from the ^(R)first of all your produce;
¹⁰Then your ^(S)barns will be filled with plenty,
And your ^(T)vats will overflow with new wine.
¹¹^(U)My son, do not reject the ^[d]discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His rebuke,
¹²For ^(V)whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
Just ^(W)as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.

¹³^(X)Blessed is a person who finds wisdom,
And one who obtains understanding.
¹⁴For ^[e]her ^(Y)profit is better than the profit of silver,
And her produce better than gold.
¹⁵She is ^(Z)more precious than ^[f]jewels,
And nothing you desire compares with her.
¹⁶^[g]^(AA)Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are ^(AB)riches and honor.
¹⁷Her ^(AC)ways are pleasant ways,
And all her paths are ^(AD)peace.
¹⁸She is a ^(AE)tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are those who hold on to her.