Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. | Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take. |
My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. | My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart. If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying. |
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Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. | Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart. Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation. |
Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones. | Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. |
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce. | Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce. |
My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the Lord reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights. | My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. |
Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding. | Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. |
Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to do it. | Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them. |
Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways, for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence. | Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways. Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly. |
Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. | Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. |
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight. | Getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do! And whatever else you do, develop good judgment. |
Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many. | My child, listen to me and do as I say, and you will have a long, good life. |
I have taught you the way of wisdom; I have led you in the paths of uprightness. | I will teach you wisdom’s ways and lead you in straight paths. |
My son, be attentive to my words; incline your ear to my sayings. Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart. | My child, pay attention to what I say. Listen carefully to my words. Don’t lose sight of them. Let them penetrate deep into your heart. |
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life. | Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life. |
Put away from you crooked speech, and put devious talk far from you. | Avoid all perverse talk; stay away from corrupt speech. |
Let your eyes look directly forward, and your gaze be straight before you. | Look straight ahead, and fix your eyes on what lies before you. |
Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure. | Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. |
Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your foot away from evil. | Don’t get sidetracked; keep your feet from following evil. |
My son, keep your father's commandment, and forsake not your mother's teaching. | My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction. |
Or can one walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched? | Can he walk on hot coals and not blister his feet? |
The fear of the Lord is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate. | All who fear the Lord will hate evil. Therefore, I hate pride and arrogance, corruption and perverse speech. |
For whoever finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord. | For whoever finds me finds life and receives favor from the Lord. |
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. | Fear of the Lord is the foundation of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in good judgment. |
A wise son makes a glad father, but a foolish son is a sorrow to his mother. | A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother. |