3 My son, don’t forget my instructions,

≈ and keep my commands in your thoughts,

2 → because they’ll give you a longer lifetime

≈ and add peace to your life.

3 Don’t let loyal commitment and faithfulness leave you:

tie them around your neck,

≈ and inscribe them into your mind.

4 Then you’ll find favour and good insight

in the eyes of God and man.[ref]

5 Trust in Yahweh with everything in you,

^ and don’t rely on your own logic.

6 Acknowledge Yahweh’s involvement in everything you do,

and he’ll make the way easier to follow.

7 Don’t pride yourself on your own wisdom,[ref]

^ but rather obey Yahweh and turn away from evil.

8 It will be healing for your stomach,

≈ and refreshment for your bones.

9 Honour Yahweh from your wealth

≈ and from the first of everything you harvest,

10 → then your barns will be completely filled,

≈ and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, don’t reject correction from Yahweh,

≈ and don’t resent his rebuke,[ref]

12 because Yahweh disciplines those he loves,[ref]

≈ just like a father does to his child that he appreciates.[ref]

13 The person who discovers wisdom is blessed,

≈ as is the one who obtains understanding,

14 because it’s better than a good income.

≈ Being wise is of more value than gold.

15 Wisdom is more valuable than jewelry.

→ There’s nothing else you could want that’s worth as much as being wise.

16 On one hand, wisdom leads to a longer life.

≈ On the other hand, being wise will enable riches and honour.

17 The ways of wisdom are pleasant,

≈ and all its ways are peaceful.

18 Wisdom is a tree of life for those who embrace it.

≈ People who are consistently wise are blessed.

19 Yahweh founded the world using wisdom.

≈ He established the atmosphere and sky by understanding.

20 As a result of his knowledge, the ocean depths broke open,

≈ and the clouds dripped dew.

21 My son, don’t let wisdom, knowledge, or understanding escape from your sight.

Safeguard sound wisdom and discretion

22 and they’ll liven your mind,

and then people will notice it about you.

23 Then you’ll walk in confidence

without tripping or stumbling.

24 When you go to bed, your mind won’t be filled with fear.

≈ You’ll lie down and your sleep will be relaxing.

25 Don’t worry about something terrible suddenly happening to you,

or about when you see wicked people facing ruin,

26 because your confidence will be in Yahweh,

and he will protect you on your journey.

27 Don’t hold back when you’re able to do good to someone—

when you have the ability and opportunity to act.

28 Don’t tell your neighbour, “Go home now, but come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you then,”

when you had it there the whole time.

29 Don’t plot how to take advantage of your neighbour,

when he’s living beside you and trusting you.

30 Don’t quarrel with others for no reason—

if they haven’t done anything wrong to you.

31 Don’t envy violent people,

and don’t imitate how they behave,

32 because Yahweh detests crooked people

^ but is friendly towards those who are godly.

33 Yahweh’s curse is on the household of wicked people,

^ but he blesses the home of those who do what’s right.

34 He mocks those who mock others,

but he shows favour towards those who are humble.[ref]

35 Wise people will inherit honour,

but fools will receive shame.