Aa
Trust the Lord
1My son, don’t forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commands; Dt 30:16
2for they will bring you
many days, a full life, Lit days, years of life Ps 91:16; Pr 3:16; 4:10; 9:11; 10:27 and well-being. Pr 4:1-4; 6:20-23; 7:1-3
3Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you.
Tie them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart. Pr 1:9; 6:21; 7:3; 2Co 3:3
4Then you will find favor and high regard
in the sight of God and man. Dt 4:6; 1Sm 2:26; Lk 2:52; Rm 14:18
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart, Ps 37:3,5
and do not rely on your own understanding; Jr 9:23
6think about Him in all your ways,
and He will guide you on the right paths. Lit will make your paths straight Pr 11:5
7Don’t consider yourself to be wise; Pr 26:5,12; 28:11,26; Rm 12:16
fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Jb 1:1; 28:28; Ps 37:27; Pr 16:6
8This will be healing for your body Lit navel Pr 4:22
and strengthening for your bones. Jb 21:24
9Honor the Lord with your possessions
and with the first produce of your entire harvest; Ex 23:19; Lv 23:9-14; Dt 26:2
10then your barns will be completely filled,
and your vats will overflow with new wine. Dt 28:8; Mal 3:10
11Do not despise the Lord’s instruction, my son,
and do not loathe His discipline; Pr 5:11-13; 15:5,31-33
12for the Lord disciplines the one He loves,
just as a father, the son he delights in. Dt 8:5; Jb 5:17-18; Pr 13:24; Heb 12:5-7
Wisdom Brings Happiness
13Happy is a man who finds wisdom Pr 8:32,34
and who acquires understanding,
14for she is more profitable than silver,
and her revenue is better than gold. Jb 28:15-19; Pr 8:10,19; 16:16; 22:1
15She is more precious than jewels; Jb 28:18
nothing you desire compares with her. Pr 8:11; 20:15
16Long life Lit Length of days is in her right hand;
in her left, riches and honor. Pr 8:18; 21:21; 22:4
17Her ways are pleasant, Mt 11:19
and all her paths, peaceful.
18She is a tree of life Gn 2:9; Pr 11:30; 13:12; 15:4; Rv 2:7 to those who embrace her,
and those who hold on to her are happy.
19The Lord founded the earth by wisdom Ps 104:24; Pr 8:27
and established the heavens by understanding.
20By His knowledge the watery depths broke open, Gn 7:11
and the clouds dripped with dew. Dt 33:28; Jb 36:28
21Maintain your competence and discretion.
My son, don’t lose sight of them. Pr 4:21
22They will be life for you Or be your throat In Hb, nephesh can mean throat, soul, or life. Pr 4:22
and adornment Or grace for your neck.
23Then you will go safely on your way;
your foot will not stumble. Ps 91:12; Pr 4:12
24When you lie LXX reads sit down, you will not be afraid; Jb 11:19; Ps 3:5; Pr 6:22
you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.
25Don’t fear sudden danger
or the ruin of the wicked when it comes, Jb 5:21; Ps 91:5; 1Pt 3:14
26for the Lord will be your confidence Or be at your side
and will keep your foot from a snare. 1Sm 2:9
Treat Others Fairly
27When it is in your power, Lit in the power of your hands
don’t withhold good Gl 6:10 from the one it belongs to.
28Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later.
I’ll give it tomorrow” — when it is there with you. Lv 19:13; Dt 24:15
29Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor, Pr 6:14; 14:22
for he trusts you and lives near you.
30Don’t accuse anyone without cause, Pr 24:28; Rm 12:18
when he has done you no harm.
31Don’t envy a violent man Ps 37:1; Pr 23:17; 24:1,19
or choose any of his ways;
32for the devious are detestable to the Lord,
but He is a friend Or confidential counsel to the upright. Ps 25:14; Pr 11:20; 12:22; 15:8-9
33The Lord’s curse is on the household of the wicked, Zch 5:3-4; Mal 2:2
but He blesses the home of the righteous;
34He mocks those who mock,
but gives grace to the humble. Jms 4:6; 1Pt 5:5
35The wise will inherit honor,
but He holds up fools to dishonor. Or but haughty fools dishonor, or but fools exalt dishonor