1My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
2My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
3For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.3.2 long…: Heb. years of life
4For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.3.2 long…: Heb. years of life
5Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
6Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
7So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.3.4 good…: or, good success
8So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.3.4 good…: or, good success
9¶ Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
10¶ Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
11In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
12In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
13¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
14¶ Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
15It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.3.8 health: Heb. medicine3.8 marrow: Heb. watering, or, moistening
16It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.3.8 health: Heb. medicine3.8 marrow: Heb. watering, or, moistening
17Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
18Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
19So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
20So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
21¶ My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
22¶ My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
23For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
24For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
25¶ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.3.13 that getteth…: Heb. that draweth out understanding
26¶ Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.3.13 that getteth…: Heb. that draweth out understanding
27For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
28For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
29She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
30She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
31Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
32Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.
33Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
34Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.
35She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
36She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.
37The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.3.19 established: or, prepared
38The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.3.19 established: or, prepared
39By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
40By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
41¶ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
42¶ My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
43So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
44So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
45Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
46Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
47When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
48When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
49Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
50Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
51For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
52For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
53¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.3.27 them…: Heb. the owners thereof
54¶ Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.3.27 them…: Heb. the owners thereof
55Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
56Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
57Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.3.29 Devise…: or, Practise no evil
58Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.3.29 Devise…: or, Practise no evil
59¶ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
60¶ Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
61¶ Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.3.31 the oppressor: Heb. a man of violence
62¶ Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.3.31 the oppressor: Heb. a man of violence
63For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
64For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
65¶ The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
66¶ The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
67Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
68Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
69The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.3.35 shall be…: Heb. exalteth the fools
70The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.3.35 shall be…: Heb. exalteth the fools