• The Rewards of Wisdom

  • 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, But have your heart comply with my commandments;
  • 2 For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.
  • 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
  • 4 So you will find favor and a good reputation In the sight of God and man.
  • 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.
  • 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.
  • 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
  • 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones.
  • 9 Honor the Lord from your wealth, And from the first of all your produce;
  • 10 Then your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
  • 11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His rebuke,
  • 12 For whom the Lord loves He disciplines, Just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.
  • 13 Blessed is a person who finds wisdom, And one who obtains understanding.
  • 14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver, And her produce better than gold.
  • 15 She is more precious than jewels, And nothing you desire compares with her.
  • 16 Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
  • 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, And all her paths are peace.
  • 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are those who hold on to her.
  • 19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom, He established the heavens by understanding.
  • 20 By His knowledge the ocean depths were burst open, And the clouds drip with dew.
  • 21 My son, see that they do not escape from your sight; Comply with sound wisdom and discretion,
  • 22 And they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck.
  • 23 Then you will walk in your way securely, And your foot will not stumble.
  • 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
  • 25 Do not be afraid of sudden danger, 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 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.
  • 28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it to you,” When you have it with you.
  • 29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you.
  • 30 Do not contend with a person for no reason, If he has done you no harm.
  • 31 Do not envy a violent person, And do not choose any of his ways.
  • 32 For the devious are an abomination to the Lord; But He is intimate with the upright.
  • 33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the righteous.
  • 34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet He gives grace to the needy.
  • 35 The wise will inherit honor, But fools increase dishonor.