1My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commandments;

2For they shall add length of days, and long life, and peace, to you.

3Do not let mercy and truth forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them upon the tablet of your heart;

4And so you shall find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not to your own understanding.

6In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.

7Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil.

8It shall be health to your navel and marrow to your bones.

9Honor the LORD with your substance and with the firstfruits of all your increase;

10And your barns shall be filled with plenty, and your presses shall burst with new wine.

11My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, nor be weary of His correction;

12For whom the LORD loves He corrects, even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

13Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gets understanding,

14For the merchandise of it is better than the gain from silver, and its produce more than the gain of fine gold;

15She is more precious than rubies; and all the things you can desire are not to be compared with her.

16Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand, riches and honor.

17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold upon her; and happy is everyone who holds her fast.

19The LORD has founded the earth by wisdom; by understanding He has established the heavens.

20By His knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21My son, do not let them depart from your eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22And they shall be life to your soul and grace to your neck.

23Then you shall walk in your way safely, and your foot shall not stumble.

24When you lie down, you shall not be afraid; yea, you shall lie down, and your sleep shall be sweet.

25Have no fear of sudden disaster, nor of the desolation of the wicked when it comes;

26For the LORD shall be your confidence and shall keep your foot from being taken.

27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

28Do not say to your neighbor, "Go and come back again, and tomorrow I will give," when you have it with you:

29Do not plan evil against your neighbor since he dwells trustingly by you.

30Do not strive with a man without cause if he has done you no harm.

31Do not envy the oppressor, and choose none of his ways,

32For the crooked man is an abomination to the LORD, but His secret is with the righteous.

33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous.

34Surely He scorns the scorners, but He gives grace to the lowly.

35The wise shall inherit glory, but shame shall be the promotion of fools.