| Chapter 3 |
1 | My son, don't forget my teaching; But let your heart keep my commandments:
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2 | For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to you.
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3 | Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
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4 | So you will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.
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5 | Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don't lean on your own understanding.
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6 | In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths.
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7 | Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
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8 | It will be health to your body, And nourishment to your bones.
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9 | Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of all your increase:
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10 | So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.
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11 | My son, don't despise Yahweh's discipline, Neither be weary of his reproof:
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12 | For whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; Even as a father the son in whom he delights.
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13 | Happy is the man who finds wisdom, The man who gets understanding.
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14 | For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, The profit of it better than fine gold.
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15 | She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.
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16 | Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.
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17 | Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.
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18 | She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.
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19 | By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.
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20 | By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew.
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21 | My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
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22 | So they will be life to your soul, And grace for your neck.
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23 | Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble.
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24 | When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
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25 | Don't be afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:
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26 | For Yahweh will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being taken.
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27 | Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do it.
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28 | Don't say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come again, Tomorrow I will give,' When you have it by you.
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29 | Don't devise evil against your neighbor, Seeing he dwells securely by you.
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30 | Don't strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.
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31 | Don't envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.
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32 | For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, But his friendship is with the upright.
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33 | The curse of Yahweh is in the house of the wicked, But he blesses the habitation of the righteous.
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34 | Surely he mocks the mockers, But he gives grace to the humble.
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35 | The wise will inherit glory, But shame will be the promotion of fools.
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