The Rewards of Wisdom

1 My son, do not forget my teaching,
          But let your heart keep 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 good repute
          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 So 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 reproof,

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

13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom
          And the man who gains understanding.

14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver
          And her gain better than fine 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 all who hold her fast.

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

20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
          And the skies drip with dew.

21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight;
          Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22 So 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 fear
          Nor of the onslaught of 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,”
          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 man without cause,
          If he has done you no harm.

31 Do not envy a man of violence
          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 dwelling of the righteous.

34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
          Yet He gives grace to the afflicted.

35 The wise will inherit honor,
          But fools display dishonor.