13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.(A)
15 She is more precious than rubies;(B)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.(C)
16 Long life is in her right hand;(D)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.(F)
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.(H)

19 By wisdom(I) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,(J)
    by understanding he set the heavens(K) in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
    and the clouds let drop the dew.

21 My son,(L) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,(M)
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,(N)
    an ornament to grace your neck.(O)
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,(P)
    and your foot will not stumble.(Q)
24 When you lie down,(R) you will not be afraid;(S)
    when you lie down, your sleep(T) will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side(U)
    and will keep your foot(V) from being snared.(W)

Read full chapter

Wisdom Brings Happiness

13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom(A)
and who acquires understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver,
and her revenue is better than gold.(B)
15 She is more precious than jewels;(C)
nothing you desire compares with her.(D)
16 Long life[a] is in her right hand;
in her left, riches and honor.(E)
17 Her ways are pleasant,(F)
and all her paths, peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life(G) to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.

19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom(H)
and established the heavens by understanding.
20 By His knowledge the watery depths broke open,(I)
and the clouds dripped with dew.(J)

21 Maintain your competence and discretion.
My son, don’t lose sight of them.(K)
22 They will be life for you[b][c](L)
and adornment[d] for your neck.
23 Then you will go safely on your way;
your foot will not stumble.(M)
24 When you lie[e] down, you will not be afraid;(N)
you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.
25 Don’t fear sudden danger
or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,(O)
26 for the Lord will be your confidence[f]
and will keep your foot from a snare.(P)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:16 Lit Length of days
  2. Proverbs 3:22 Or be your throat
  3. Proverbs 3:22 In Hb, nephesh can mean throat, soul, or life.
  4. Proverbs 3:22 Or grace
  5. Proverbs 3:24 LXX reads sit
  6. Proverbs 3:26 Or be at your side