Proverbs 2:16-3:12

English Standard Version

¹⁶So ^(A)you will be delivered from the forbidden^[a] woman,
    from ^(B)the adulteress^[b] with ^(C)her smooth words,
¹⁷who forsakes ^(D)the companion of her youth
    and forgets ^(E)the covenant of her God;
¹⁸^(F)for her house sinks down to death,
    and her paths to the departed;^[c]
¹⁹none who go to her come back,
    nor do they regain the paths of life.

²⁰So you will walk in the way of the good
    and keep to the paths of the righteous.
²¹For the upright ^(G)will inhabit the land,
    and those with integrity will remain in it,
²²but the wicked will be ^(H)cut off from the land,
    and the treacherous will be ^(I)rooted out of it.

Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

3 ^(J)My son, do not forget my teaching,
^(K)but let your heart keep my commandments,
²for ^(L)length of days and years of life
and ^(M)peace they will add to you.

³Let not ^(N)steadfast love and ^(O)faithfulness forsake you;
    ^(P)bind them around your neck;
    ^(Q)write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴So you will ^(R)find favor and ^(S)good success^[d]
    in the sight of God and man.

⁵^(T)Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and ^(U)do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶In all your ways ^(V)acknowledge him,
    and he ^(W)will make straight your paths.
⁷^(X)Be not wise in your own eyes;
    ^(Y)fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
⁸It will be ^(Z)healing to your flesh^[e]
    and ^(AA)refreshment^[f] to your bones.

⁹Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with ^(AB)the firstfruits of all your produce;
¹⁰then your ^(AC)barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.

¹¹^(AD)My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
¹²for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as ^(AE)a father the son in whom he delights.