Provérbios 3

Trust the Lord

1 My son, don’t forget my teaching,

but let your heart keep my commands;  * 3:1 Dt 30:16

2 for they will bring you

many days, a full life,  * 3:2 Lit days, years of life,* 3:2 Ps 91:16; Pr 3:16; 4:10; 9:11; 10:27 and well-being.  * 3:1–2 Pr 4:1–4; 6:20–23; 7:1–3

3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.

Tie them around your neck;

write them on the tablet of your heart.  * 3:3 Pr 1:9; 6:21; 7:3; 2Co 3:3

4 Then you will find favor and high regard

with God and people.  * 3:4 Dt 4:6; 1Sm 2:26; Lk 2:52; Rm 14:18

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,  * 3:5 Ps 37:3,5

and do not rely on your own understanding;  * 3:5 Jr 9:23

6 in all your ways know him,

and he will make your paths straight.  * 3:6 Pr 11:5

7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes;  * 3:7 Pr 26:5,12; 28:11,26; Rm 12:16

fear the Lord and turn away from evil.  * 3:7 Jb 1:1; 28:28; Ps 37:27; Pr 16:6

8 This will be healing for your body  * 3:8 Lit navel,* 3:8 Pr 4:22

and strengthening for your bones.  * 3:8 Jb 21:24

9 Honor the Lord with your possessions

and with the first produce of your entire harvest;  * 3:9 Ex 23:19; Lv 23:9–14; Dt 26:2

10 then your barns will be completely filled,

and your vats will overflow with new wine.  * 3:10 Dt 28:8; Mal 3:10

11 Do not despise the  Lord’s instruction, my son,

and do not loathe his discipline;  * 3:11 Pr 5:11–13; 15:5,31–33

12 for the Lord disciplines the one he loves,

just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.  * 3:12 Dt 8:5; Jb 5:17–18; Pr 13:24; Heb 12:5–7

Wisdom Brings Happiness

13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom  * 3:13 Pr 8:32,34

and who acquires understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver,

and her revenue is better than gold.  * 3:14 Jb 28:15–19; Pr 8:10,19; 16:16; 22:1

15 She is more precious than jewels;  * 3:15 Jb 28:18

nothing you desire can equal her.  * 3:15 Pr 8:11; 20:15

16 Long life  * 3:16 Lit Length of days is in her right hand;

in her left, riches and honor.  * 3:16 Pr 8:18; 21:21; 22:4

17 Her ways are pleasant,  * 3:17 Mt 11:19

and all her paths, peaceful.

18 She is a tree of life  * 3:18 Gn 2:9; Pr 11:30; 13:12; 15:4; Rv 2:7 to those who embrace her,

and those who hold on to her are happy.

19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom  * 3:19 Ps 104:24; Pr 8:27

and established the heavens by understanding.

20 By his knowledge the watery depths broke open,  * 3:20 Gn 7:11

and the clouds dripped with dew.  * 3:20 Dt 33:28; Jb 36:28

21 Maintain sound wisdom and discretion.

My son, don’t lose sight of them.  * 3:21 Pr 4:21

22 They will be life for you  * 3:22 Or be your throat,* 3:22 Pr 4:22

and adornment  * 3:22 Or grace for your neck.

23 Then you will go safely on your way;

your foot will not stumble.  * 3:23 Ps 91:12; Pr 4:12

24 When you lie  * 3:24 LXX reads sit down, you will not be afraid;  * 3:24 Jb 11:19; Ps 3:5; Pr 6:22

you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

25 Don’t fear sudden danger

or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,  * 3:25 Jb 5:21; Ps 91:5; 1Pt 3:14

26 for the Lord will be your confidence  * 3:26 Or be at your side

and will keep your foot from a snare.  * 3:26 1Sm 2:9

Treat Others Fairly

27 When it is in your power,  * 3:27 Lit in the power of your hands

don’t withhold good  * 3:27 Gl 6:10 from the one to whom it belongs.

28 Don’t say to your neighbor, "Go away! Come back later.

I’ll give it tomorrow" — when it is there with you.  * 3:28 Lv 19:13; Dt 24:15

29 Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor,  * 3:29 Pr 6:14; 14:22

for he trusts you and lives near you.

30 Don’t accuse anyone without cause,  * 3:30 Pr 24:28; Rm 12:18

when he has done you no harm.

31 Don’t envy a violent man  * 3:31 Ps 37:1; Pr 23:17; 24:1,19

or choose any of his ways;

32 for the devious are detestable to the  Lord,

but he is a friend  * 3:32 Or confidential counsel to the upright.  * 3:32 Ps 25:14; Pr 11:20; 12:22; 15:8–9

33 The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked,  * 3:33 Zch 5:3–4; Mal 2:2

but he blesses the home of the righteous;

34 He mocks those who mock

but gives grace to the humble.  * 3:34 Jms 4:6; 1Pt 5:5

35 The wise will inherit honor,

but he holds up fools to dishonor.  * 3:35 Or but haughty fools dishonor, or but fools exalt dishonor