³     Do not let mercy and truth leave you.
    Fasten them around your neck.
    Write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴         Then you will find favor and much success
            in the sight of God and humanity.

⁵     Trust the Lord with all your heart,
        and do not rely on your own understanding.
⁶     In all your ways acknowledge him,
        and he will make your paths smooth.^[a]
7     Do not consider yourself wise.
    Fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
⁸         Then your body will be healed,
            and your bones will have nourishment.

⁹     Honor the Lord with your wealth
        and with the first and best part of all your income.^[b]
10             Then your barns will be full,
                and your vats will overflow with fresh wine.

¹¹     Do not reject the discipline of the Lord, my son,
        and do not resent his warning,
¹²             because the Lord warns the one he loves,
                even as a father warns a son with whom he is pleased.

¹³ Blessed is the one who finds wisdom
    and the one who obtains understanding.
¹⁴         The profit gained from wisdom is greater than
            the profit gained from silver.
                Its yield is better than fine gold.
¹⁵ Wisdom is more precious than jewels,
    and all your desires cannot equal it.
¹⁶         Long life is in wisdom’s right hand.
            In wisdom’s left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Wisdom’s ways are pleasant ways,
    and all its paths lead to peace.
¹⁸ Wisdom is a tree of life
    for those who take firm hold of it.
        Those who cling to it are blessed.

¹⁹ By Wisdom the Lord laid the foundation of the earth.
By understanding he established the heavens.
²⁰ By his knowledge the deep waters were divided,
    and the skies dropped dew.

²¹ My son,
    do not lose sight of these things.
    Use priceless wisdom and foresight.
²²         Then they will mean life for you,
            and they will grace your neck.
²³         Then you will go safely on your way,
            and you will not hurt your foot.
²⁴         When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
        As you lie there, your sleep will be sweet.

²⁵     Do not be afraid of sudden terror
        or of the destruction of wicked people when it comes.
²⁶             The Lord will be your confidence.
            He will keep your foot from getting caught.

²⁷     Do not hold back anything good
        from those who are entitled to it
            when you have the power to do so.
²⁸     When you have the good thing with you, do not tell your neighbor,
        “Go away!
        Come back tomorrow.
        I’ll give you something then.”

²⁹     Do not plan to do something wrong to your neighbor
        while he is sitting there with you and suspecting nothing.
³⁰     Do not quarrel with a person for no reason
        if he has not harmed you.
³¹     Do not envy a violent person.
    Do not choose any of his ways.
³²         The devious person is disgusting to the Lord.
        The Lord’s intimate advice is with decent people.

³³ The Lord curses the house of wicked people,
    but he blesses the home of righteous people.
³⁴ When he mocks the mockers,
    he is gracious to humble people.
³⁵ Wise people will inherit honor,
    but fools will bear disgrace.