Proverbs 3
1My son, don’t forget my teaching; 2 but keep my mitzvot ·instructions· in your heart: 1
2for length of days, and years of life, 2 and peace, will they add to you. 1
3Don’t let chesed ·loving-kindness· and truth forsake you. 2 Bind them around your neck. 2 Write them on the tablet of your heart. 1
4So you will find chen ·grace·, 2 and good understanding in the sight of God and man. + 3:4 Greek Septuagint version: “So shall you find favor: and you do provide what is right in the sight of Adonai and of men.” + 3:4 Greek Septuagint is Quoted in 2 Cor 8:21 1
5Trust in Adonai with all your heart, 2 and don’t lean on your own understanding. 1
6In all your ways acknowledge him, 2 and he will make your paths straight. 1
7Don’t be wise in your own eyes. 2 Fear Adonai, and depart from evil. 1
8It will be health to your body, 2 and nourishment to your bones. 1
9Honor Adonai with your substance, 2 with the first fruits of all your increase: 1
10so your barns will be filled with plenty, 2 and your vats will overflow with new wine. 1
11My son, don’t despise Adonai ’s discipline, 2 neither be despondent when he corrects you: 1
12for whom Adonai 'ahav ·affectionately loves·, he reproves; + 3:12. Quoted in Rev 3:19 2 even as a father + 3:12. Quoted in Heb 12:7 reproves his son + 3:12. (11-12) Quoted in Heb 12:5-6 in whom he delights. 1
13Happy is the man who finds wisdom, 2 the man who gets understanding. 1
14For her good profit is better than getting silver, 2 and her teshuvah ·complete return· is better than fine gold. 1
15She is more precious than rubies. 2 None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. 1
16Length of days is in her right hand. 2 In her left hand are riches and kavod ·weighty glory·. 1
17Her ways are ways of pleasantness. 2 All her paths are peace. 1
18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. 2 Happy is everyone who retains her. 1
19By wisdom Adonai founded the earth. 2 By understanding, he established the heavens. 1
20By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, 2 and the skies drop down the dew. 1
21My son, let them not depart from your eyes. 2 Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 1
22so they will be life to your soul, 2 and chen ·grace· for your neck. 1
23Then you shall walk in your way securely. 2 Your foot won’t stumble. 1
24When you lie down, you will not be afraid. 2 Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. 1
25Don’t be afraid of sudden fear, 2 neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes: 1
26for Adonai will be your confidence, 2 and will keep your foot from being taken. 1
27Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, 2 when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 1
28Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again; 2 tomorrow I will give it to you,” 2 when you have it by you. 1
29Don’t devise evil against your neighbor, 2 since he dwells securely by you. 1
30Don’t strive with a man without cause, 2 if he has done you no harm. 1
31Don’t envy the man of violence. 2 Choose none of his ways. 1
32For the perverse is an abomination to Adonai, 2 but his friendship is with the upright. 1
33Adonai’s curse is in the house of the wicked, 2 but he blesses the habitation of the upright. 1
34Surely he opposes the mockers, 2 but he gives chen ·grace· to the humble. + 3:34. Quoted in James 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5 1
35The wise will inherit kavod ·weighty glory·, 2 but shame will be the promotion of fools.