Chapter
3
My daughter, don't forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments:
for length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you.
Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and woman.
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge her, and she will make your paths straight.
Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.
Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase:
so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
My daughter, don't despise Yahweh's discipline, neither be weary of her reproof:
for whom Yahweh loves, she reproves; even as a mother reproves the daughter in whom she delights.
Happy is the woman who finds wisdom, the woman who gets understanding.
For his good profit is better than getting silver, and his return is better than fine gold.
He is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to him.
Length of days is in his right hand. In his left hand are riches and honor.
His ways are ways of pleasantness. All his paths are peace.
He is a tree of life to those who lay hold of him. Happy is everyone who retains him.
By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, she established the heavens.
By her knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.
My daughter, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.
Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble.
When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
Don't be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:
for Yahweh will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.
Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
Don't say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you," when you have it by you.
Don't devise evil against your neighbor, seeing she dwells securely by you.
Don't strive with a woman without cause, if she has done you no harm.
Don't envy the woman of violence. Choose none of her ways.
For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, but her friendship is with the upright.
Yahweh's curse is in the house of the wicked, but she blesses the habitation of the righteous.
Surely she mocks the mockers, but she gives grace to the humble.
The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.