3 My son, don’t forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commands;^(A)
2 for they will bring you
many days, a full life,^[a](B) and well-being.^(C)
3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
Tie them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.^(D)
4 Then you will find favor and high regard
in the sight of God and man.^(E)

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

²⁷ When it is in your power,^[j]
don’t withhold good^(AG) from the one it belongs to.
²⁸ Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later.
I’ll give it tomorrow”—when it is there with you.^(AH)
29 Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor,^(AI)
for he trusts you and lives near you.
³⁰ Don’t accuse anyone without cause,^(AJ)
when he has done you no harm.
³¹ Don’t envy a violent man^(AK)
or choose any of his ways;
³² for the devious are detestable to the Lord,
but He is a friend^[k] to the upright.^(AL)
33 The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked,^(AM)
but He blesses the home of the righteous;
³⁴ He mocks those who mock,
but gives grace to the humble.^(AN)
35 The wise will inherit honor,
but He holds up fools to dishonor.^[l]