³ Don’t let love and truth ever leave you.
    Tie them around your neck.
    Write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will find favor and a good name
    in the eyes of God and people.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
    Do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways obey him.
    Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.

⁷ Don’t be wise in your own eyes.
    Have respect for the Lord and avoid evil.
⁸ That will bring health to your body.
    It will make your bones strong.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth.
    Give him the first share of all your crops.
¹⁰ Then your storerooms will be so full they can’t hold everything.
    Your huge jars will spill over with fresh wine.

¹¹ My son, do not hate the Lord’s training.
    Do not object when he corrects you.
¹² The Lord trains those he loves.
    He is like a father who trains the son he is pleased with.

¹³ Blessed is the one who finds wisdom.
    Blessed is the one who gains understanding.
¹⁴ Wisdom pays better than silver does.
    She earns more than gold does.
¹⁵ She is worth more than rubies.
    Nothing you want can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand.
    In her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways.
    All her paths lead to peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her.
    Those who hold her close will be blessed.

¹⁹ By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations.
    Through understanding he set the heavens in place.
²⁰ By his knowledge the seas were separated,
    and the clouds dropped their dew.

²¹ My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight.
    Hold on to good sense and the understanding of what is right.
²² They will be life for you.
    They will be like a gracious necklace around your neck.
²³ Then you will go on your way in safety.
    You will not trip and fall.
²⁴ When you lie down, you won’t be afraid.
    When you lie down, you will sleep soundly.
²⁵ Don’t be terrified by sudden trouble.
    Don’t be afraid when sinners are destroyed.
²⁶ The Lord will be at your side.
    He will keep your feet from being caught in a trap.

²⁷ Don’t hold back good from those who are worthy of it.
    Don’t hold it back when you can help.
²⁸ Suppose you already have something to give.
    Don’t say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow.
    I’ll give it to you then.”

²⁹ Don’t plan to harm your neighbor.
    He lives near you and trusts you.
³⁰ Don’t bring charges against anyone for no reason.
    They have not harmed you.

³¹ Don’t be jealous of a person who hurts others.
    Don’t choose any of their ways.
³² The Lord really hates sinful people.
    But he makes honest people his closest friends.

³³ The Lord puts a curse on the houses of sinners.
    But he blesses the homes of those who do what is right.
³⁴ He makes fun of proud people who make fun of others.
    But he gives grace to those who are humble and treated badly.
³⁵ Wise people receive honor.
    But foolish people get only shame.