Chapter 3
001
My daughter, don't forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments:
002
for length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you.
003
Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.
004
So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and woman.
005
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding.
006
In all your ways acknowledge her, and she will make your paths straight.
007
Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.
008
It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.
009
Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase:
010
so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
011
My daughter, don't despise Yahweh's discipline, neither be weary of her reproof:
012
for whom Yahweh loves, she reproves; even as a mother reproves the daughter in whom she delights.
013
Happy is the woman who finds wisdom, the woman who gets understanding.
014
For his good profit is better than getting silver, and his return is better than fine gold.
015
He is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to him.
016
Length of days is in his right hand. In his left hand are riches and honor.
017
His ways are ways of pleasantness. All his paths are peace.
018
He is a tree of life to those who lay hold of him. Happy is everyone who retains him.
019
By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, she established the heavens.
020
By her knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.
021
My daughter, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion:
022
so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.
023
Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble.
024
When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.
025
Don't be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:
026
for Yahweh will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.
027
Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
028
Don't say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you," when you have it by you.
029
Don't devise evil against your neighbor, seeing she dwells securely by you.
030
Don't strive with a woman without cause, if she has done you no harm.
031
Don't envy the woman of violence. Choose none of her ways.
032
For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, but her friendship is with the upright.
033
Yahweh's curse is in the house of the wicked, but she blesses the habitation of the righteous.
034
Surely she mocks the mockers, but she gives grace to the humble.
035
The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.