³ Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
^(C)Bind them around your neck,
^(D)Write them on the tablet of your heart,
^4 (E)And so find favor and ^[a]high esteem
In the sight of God and man.

^5 (F)Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
^(G)And lean not on your own understanding;
^6 (H)In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall ^[b]direct your paths.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own ^(I)eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
⁸ It will be health to your ^[c]flesh,
And ^(J)strength^[d] to your bones.

^9 (K)Honor the Lord with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
^10 (L)So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.

^11 (M)My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor detest His correction;
¹² For whom the Lord loves He corrects,
^(N)Just as a father the son in whom he delights.

^13 (O)Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
^14 (P)For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies,
And ^(Q)all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
^16 (R)Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
^17 (S)Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is ^(T)a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who ^[e]retain her.

^19 (U)The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
²⁰ By His knowledge the depths were ^(V)broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.

²¹ My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
²² So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
^23 (W)Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
^25 (X)Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
²⁶ For the Lord will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.

^27 (Y)Do not withhold good from ^[f]those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
^28 (Z)Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
²⁹ Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
^30 (AA)Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.

^31 (AB)Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
³² For the perverse person is an abomination to the Lord,
^(AC)But His secret counsel is with the upright.
^33 (AD)The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But ^(AE)He blesses the home of the just.
^34 (AF)Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
³⁵ The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.