| 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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