Proverbs 3

Guidance for the Young

1 My son, do not forget my law,

*Deut. 8:1But let your heart keep my commands;

2 For length of days and long life

And *Ps. 119:165; Prov. 4:10peace they will add to you.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;

*Ex. 13:9; Deut. 6:8; Prov. 6:21Bind them around your neck,

*Prov. 7:3; Jer. 17:1; (2 Cor. 3:3)Write them on the tablet of your heart,

4 *1 Sam. 2:26; Luke 2:52; Rom. 14:18And so find favor and high esteem

In the sight of God and man.

5 *(Ps. 37:3, 5); Prov. 22:19Trust in the Lord with all your heart,

*Prov. 23:4; (Jer. 9:23, 24)And lean not on your own understanding;

6 *(1 Chr. 28:9); Prov. 16:3; (Phil. 4:6; James 1:5)In all your ways acknowledge Him,

And He shall direct your paths.

7 Do not be wise in your own *Rom. 12:16eyes;

Fear the Lord and depart from evil.

8 It will be health to your flesh,

And *Job 21:24strength to your bones.

9 *Ex. 22:29; Deut. 26:2; (Mal. 3:10)Honor the Lord with your possessions,

And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

10 *Deut. 28:8So your barns will be filled with plenty,

And your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 *Job 5:17; Ps. 94:12; Heb. 12:5, 6; Rev. 3:19My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,

Nor detest His correction;

12 For whom the Lord loves He corrects,

*Deut. 8:5; Prov. 13:24Just as a father the son inwhom he delights.

13 *Prov. 8:32, 34, 35Happy is the man who finds wisdom,

And the man who gains understanding;

14 *Job 28:13For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,

And her gain than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies,

And *Matt. 13:44all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

16 *Prov. 8:18; (1 Tim. 4:8)Length of days is in her right hand,

In her left hand riches and honor.

17 *(Matt. 11:29)Her ways are ways of pleasantness,

And all her paths are peace.

18 She is*Gen. 2:9; Prov. 11:30; 13:12; 15:4; Rev. 2:7a tree of life to those who take hold of her,

And happy areall who retain her.

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

By understanding He established the heavens;

20 By His knowledge the depths were *Gen. 7:11broken up,

And clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes—

Keep sound wisdom and discretion;

22 So they will be life to your soul

And grace to your neck.

23 *(Ps. 37:24; 91:11, 12); Prov. 10:9Then you will walk safely in your way,

And your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;

Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

25 *Ps. 91:5; 1 Pet. 3:14Do not be afraid of sudden terror,

Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

26 For the Lord will be your confidence,

And will keep your foot from being caught.

27 *Rom. 13:7; (Gal. 6:10)Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,

When it is in the power of your hand to do so.

28 *Lev. 19:13; Deut. 24:15Do not say to your neighbor,

"Go, and come back,

And tomorrow I will give it,"

When you have it with you.

29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor,

For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.

30 *Prov. 26:17; (Rom. 12:18)Do not strive with a man without cause,

If he has done you no harm.

31 *Ps. 37:1; Prov. 24:1Do not envy the oppressor,

And choose none of his ways;

32 For the perverse personis an abomination to the Lord,

*Ps. 25:14But His secret counsel is with the upright.

33 *Lev. 26:14, 16; Deut. 11:28; Zech. 5:3, 4; Mal. 2:2The curse of the Lordis on the house of the wicked,

But *Job 8:6; Ps. 1:3He blesses the home of the just.

34 *James 4:6; 1 Pet. 5:5Surely He scorns the scornful,

But gives grace to the humble.

35 The wise shall inherit glory,

But shame shall be the legacy of fools.