New King James Version

English Standard Version

1My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands;

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

2For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you.

2for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

3Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart,

3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

4And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.

4So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;

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

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

6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

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

7Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8It will be health to your flesh, And strength to your bones.

8It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

9Honor the LORD with your possessions, And with the firstfruits of all your increase;

9Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.

10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor detest His correction;

11My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,

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

12for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

13Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding;

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

14For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold.

14for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

15She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.

15She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

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

16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

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

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

18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who retain her.

18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

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

19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;

20By His knowledge the depths were broken up, And clouds drop down the dew.

20by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

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

21My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22So they will be life to your soul And grace to your neck.

22and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.

23Then you will walk safely in your way, And your foot will not stumble.

23Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.

24When you lie down, you will not be afraid; Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.

24If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25Do not be afraid of sudden terror, Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

25Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,

26For the LORD will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being caught.

26for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

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

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

28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.

28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

29Do not devise evil against your neighbor, For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.

29Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.

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

30Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

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

31Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,

32For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD, But His secret counsel is with the upright.

32for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.

33The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just.

33The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

34Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble.

34Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

35The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools.

35The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.