| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; | 1My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. |
| 2for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life. | 2If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. |
| 3Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. | 3Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. |
| 4Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man. | 4Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. |
| 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; | 5Trust in the LORD with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. |
| 6in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. | 6Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. |
| 7Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil. | 7Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the LORD and turn away from evil. |
| 8This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones. | 8Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. |
| 9Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your harvest; | 9Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. |
| 10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. | 10Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. |
| 11My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; | 11My child, don’t reject the LORD’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. |
| 12for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights. | 12For the LORD corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. |
| 13Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding, | 13Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. |
| 14for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold. | 14For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. |
| 15She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her. | 15Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. |
| 16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. | 16She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left. |
| 17All her ways are pleasant, and all her paths are peaceful. | 17She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. |
| 18She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who lay hold of her are blessed. | 18Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. |
| 19The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding. | 19By wisdom the LORD founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens. |
| 20By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, and the clouds dripped with dew. | 20By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky. |
| 21My son, do not lose sight of this: Preserve sound judgment and discernment. | 21My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them, |
| 22They will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck. | 22for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace. |
| 23Then you will go on your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. | 23They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble. |
| 24When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you rest, your sleep will be sweet. | 24You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly. |
| 25Do not fear sudden danger or the ruin that overtakes the wicked, | 25You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked, |
| 26for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare. | 26for the LORD is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap. |
| 27Do not withhold good from the deserving when it is within your power to act. | 27Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. |
| 28Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will provide”—when you already have the means. | 28If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.” |
| 29Do not devise evil against your neighbor, for he trustfully dwells beside you. | 29Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you. |
| 30Do not accuse a man without cause, when he has done you no harm. | 30Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm. |
| 31Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways; | 31Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways. |
| 32for the LORD detests the perverse, but He is a friend to the upright. | 32Such wicked people are detestable to the LORD, but he offers his friendship to the godly. |
| 33The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous. | 33The LORD curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright. |
| 34He mocks the mockers, but gives grace to the humble. | 34The LORD mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble. |
| 35The wise will inherit honor, but fools are held up to shame. | 35The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame! |
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