[[Proverbs 2|<< Proverbs 2]] | [[Proverbs|Proverbs]] | [[Proverbs 4|Proverbs 4 >>]] ### Proverbs 3 1 MY son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments: ^1 2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. ^2 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: ^3 4 So shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man. ^4 5 ¶ Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ^5 6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ^6 7 ¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. ^7 8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. ^8 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: ^9 10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. ^10 11 ¶ My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction: ^11 12 For whom the LORD loves he corrects; even as a father the son _in_ _whom_ he delights. ^12 13 ¶ Happy _is_ the man _that_ finds wisdom, and the man _that_ gets understanding. ^13 14 For the merchandise of it _is_ better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. ^14 15 She _is_ more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. ^15 16 Length of days _is_ in her right hand; _and_ in her left hand riches and honor. ^16 17 Her ways _are_ ways of pleasantness, and all her paths _are_ peace. ^17 18 She _is_ a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy _is_ _every_ _one_ that retains her. ^18 19 The LORD by wisdom has founded the earth; by understanding has he established the heavens. ^19 20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew. ^20 21 ¶ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion: ^21 22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck. ^22 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble. ^23 24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. ^24 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes. ^25 26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. ^26 27 ¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do _it_. ^27 28 Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee. ^28 29 Devise not evil against thy neighbor, seeing he dwells securely by thee. ^29 30 ¶ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. ^30 31 ¶ Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. ^31 32 For the froward _is_ abomination to the LORD: but his secret _is_ with the righteous. ^32 33 ¶ The curse of the LORD _is_ in the house of the wicked: but he blesses the habitation of the just. ^33 34 Surely he scorns the scorners: but he gives grace unto the lowly. ^34 35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. ^35