New King James Version

International Standard Version

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

1My son, don't forget my instruction, and keep my commandments carefully in mind.

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

2For they will add length to your days, years to your life, and abundant peace to you.

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

3Do not let gracious love and truth leave 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.

4and find favor and a good reputation with God and men.

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 depend 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 your paths straight.

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

7Do not be wise in your own opinion. Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

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

8This will bring healing to your body, 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 first of all your produce,

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

10so your barns will be filled with abundance, and your vats will burst open with new wine.

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

11My son, do not reject the LORD's discipline, and do not despise his correction,

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

12because the LORD corrects the person he loves, just as a father corrects the son he delights in.

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

13How joyful is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding,

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

14because her profit is better than the profit of silver, and her yield than fine gold.

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

15She is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

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

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

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

17Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceful.

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 for those who embrace her, and whoever clutches her tightly will be joyful.

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

19By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, and by understanding he set the heavens in place.

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

20By his knowledge the depths broke open, and the clouds drip with dew.

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

21My son, do not let wisdom leave your sight. Carefully observe sound judgment and discernment,

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

22and they will be life to you and a graceful ornament for your neck.

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

23Then you will travel safely on your way, 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.

24When you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.

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

25Do not be afraid of sudden disaster, or the devastation that comes to the wicked.

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

26Indeed, the LORD will be your confidence, and he 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 act.

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 back. I will pay you tomorrow," when you have cash with you.

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

29Do not plan to harm your neighbor, when he is living peacefully beside you.

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

30Do not bring a lawsuit against a person 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 violent man, and do not emulate his lifestyle.

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

32Indeed, a perverse man is utterly disgusting to the LORD, but he takes the upright into 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.

34Though God scoffs at scoffers, he gives grace to the humble.

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

35The wise will inherit honor, but he holds fools up for ridicule.

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

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.