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Wisdom and Piety

My child, do not forget my instruction,
    and may your heart guard my commands.
For length of days, years of life,
    and peace they[a] shall add to you.
May loyal love[b] and truth not forsake you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them upon your heart.
And you shall find favor and good sense[c]
    in the eyes of God and humankind.
Trust Yahweh[d] with all your heart;
    do not lean toward your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will straighten your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear Yahweh and retreat from evil.
There shall be healing for your flesh,[e]
    and refreshment for your body.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:2 That is, “my commands” (3:1)
  2. Proverbs 3:3 Or “kindness, mercy”
  3. Proverbs 3:4 Or “understanding, prudence”
  4. Proverbs 3:5 Literally “trust toward Yahweh”
  5. Proverbs 3:8 Literally “navel”

My son, forget not my [a]law;
But let thy heart keep my commandments:
For length of days, and years of life,
And peace, will they add to thee.
Let not kindness and truth forsake thee:
Bind them about thy neck;
Write them upon the tablet of thy heart:
So shalt thou find favor and [b]good understanding
In the sight of God and man.
Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart,
And lean not upon thine own understanding:
In all thy ways acknowledge him,
And he will [c]direct thy paths.
Be not wise in thine own eyes;
Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil:
It will be health to thy navel,
And [d]marrow to thy bones.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:1 Or, teaching
  2. Proverbs 3:4 Or, good repute
  3. Proverbs 3:6 Or, make straight (or, plain)
  4. Proverbs 3:8 Or, refreshing. Hebrew moistening.

Happy Is the One Who Finds Wisdom

11 Do not despise the discipline of Yahweh, my child.
    Do not be weary of his reproof
12 because whomever Yahweh will love, he will rebuke,
    as a father delights in his son.

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11 My son, despise not the [a]chastening of Jehovah;
Neither be weary of his reproof:
12 For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth,
Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:11 Or, instruction

21 My child, may they[a] not escape from your sight;[b]
    may you keep sound wisdom and prudence.
22 They shall be life for your soul[c]
    and adornment[d] for your neck.
23 Then you will walk in the confidence of your ways,
    and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you sit down, you will not panic,[e]
    and if you lie down, then your sleep shall be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden panic,[f]
    or the storm of wickedness that will come.
26 Yahweh will be your confidence[g]
    and guard your foot from capture.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:21 Grammatically, “they” most likely refers to clouds (3:20). In context, “they” may refer to wisdom and understanding (3:13).
  2. Proverbs 3:21 Literally “eyes”
  3. Proverbs 3:22 Or “inner self”
  4. Proverbs 3:22 Or “favor”
  5. Proverbs 3:24 Or “fear, dread”
  6. Proverbs 3:25 Or “fear, dread”
  7. Proverbs 3:26 Literally “in your confidence”

21 My son, let them not depart from thine eyes;
Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
22 So shall they be life unto thy soul,
And grace to thy neck.
23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely,
And [a]thy foot shall not stumble.
24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid:
Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
25 Be not afraid of sudden fear,
Neither of the [b]desolation of the wicked, when it cometh:
26 For Jehovah will be thy confidence,
And will keep thy foot from being taken.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:23 Hebrew thou shalt not dash thy foot.
  2. Proverbs 3:25 Or, storm