International Standard Version

English Standard Version

1My son, don't forget my instruction, and keep my commandments carefully in mind.

1My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

2For they will add length to your days, years to your life, and abundant peace to you.

2for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

3Do not let gracious love and truth leave you. Bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart,

3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

4and find favor and a good reputation with God and men.

4So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding.

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

7Do not be wise in your own opinion. Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

7Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8This will bring healing to your body, and refreshment to your bones.

8It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

9Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the first of all your produce,

9Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10so your barns will be filled with abundance, and your vats will burst open with new wine.

10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11My son, do not reject the LORD's discipline, and do not despise his correction,

11My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof,

12because the LORD corrects the person he loves, just as a father corrects the son he delights in.

12for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

13How joyful is the man who finds wisdom, and the man who gains understanding,

13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding,

14because her profit is better than the profit of silver, and her yield than fine gold.

14for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold.

15She is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire compares with her.

15She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her.

16Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are riches and honor.

16Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

17Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peaceful.

17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

18She is a tree of life for those who embrace her, and whoever clutches her tightly will be joyful.

18She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.

19By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, and by understanding he set the heavens in place.

19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens;

20By his knowledge the depths broke open, and the clouds drip with dew.

20by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.

21My son, do not let wisdom leave your sight. Carefully observe sound judgment and discernment,

21My son, do not lose sight of these— keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22and they will be life to you and a graceful ornament for your neck.

22and they will be life for your soul and adornment for your neck.

23Then you will travel safely on your way, and your foot will not stumble.

23Then you will walk on your way securely, and your foot will not stumble.

24When you sit down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be pleasant.

24If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25Do not be afraid of sudden disaster, or the devastation that comes to the wicked.

25Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,

26Indeed, the LORD will be your confidence, and he will keep your foot from being caught.

26for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from being caught.

27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.

27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it.

28Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back. I will pay you tomorrow," when you have cash with you.

28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.

29Do not plan to harm your neighbor, when he is living peacefully beside you.

29Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who dwells trustingly beside you.

30Do not bring a lawsuit against a person for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

30Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

31Do not envy a violent man, and do not emulate his lifestyle.

31Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,

32Indeed, a perverse man is utterly disgusting to the LORD, but he takes the upright into his confidence.

32for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are in his confidence.

33The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

33The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

34Though God scoffs at scoffers, he gives grace to the humble.

34Toward the scorners he is scornful, but to the humble he gives favor.

35The wise will inherit honor, but he holds fools up for ridicule.

35The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace.

The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.