Proverbs 3 in various versions

Complete Jewish Bible

3 My son, don’t forget my teaching,
keep my commands in your heart;
² for they will add to you many days,
years of life and peace.

³ Do not let grace and truth leave you —
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and esteem
in the sight of God and of people.

⁵ Trust in Adonai with all your heart;
do not rely on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him;
then he will level your paths.

⁷ Don’t be conceited about your own wisdom;
but fear Adonai, and turn from evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
and give strength to your bones.

⁹ Honor Adonai with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your income.
¹⁰ Then your granaries will be filled
and your vats overflow with new wine.

¹¹ My son, don’t despise Adonai’s discipline
or resent his reproof;
¹² for Adonai corrects those he loves
like a father who delights in his son.

¹³ Happy the person who finds wisdom,
the person who acquires understanding;
¹⁴ for her profit exceeds that of silver,
gaining her is better than gold,
¹⁵ she is more precious than pearls —
nothing you want can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand,
riches and honor in her left.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who grasp her;
whoever holds fast to her will be made happy.

¹⁹ Adonai by wisdom founded the earth,
by understanding he established the heavens,
²⁰ by his knowledge the deep [springs] burst open
and the dew condenses from the sky.
²¹ My son, don’t let these slip from your sight;
preserve common sense and discretion;
²² they will be life for your being
and grace for your neck.
²³ Then you will walk your way securely,
without hurting your foot.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

²⁵ Don’t be afraid of sudden terror or destruction
caused by the wicked, when it comes;
²⁶ for you can rely on Adonai;
he will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

²⁷ Don’t withhold good from someone entitled to it
when you have in hand the power to do it.
²⁸ Don’t tell your neighbor, “Go away! Come another time;
I’ll give it to you tomorrow,” when you have it now.
²⁹ Don’t plan harm against your neighbor
who lives beside you trustingly.
³⁰ Don’t quarrel with someone for no reason,
if he has done you no harm.
³¹ Don’t envy a man of violence,
don’t choose any of his ways;
³² for the perverse is an abomination to Adonai,
but he shares his secret counsel with the upright.
³³ Adonai’s curse is in the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
³⁴ The scornful he scorns,
but gives grace to the humble.
³⁵ The wise win honor,
but fools win shame

Contemporary English Version

Trust God

3 My child, remember
my teachings and instructions
    and obey them completely.
² They will help you live
    a long and prosperous life.
³ Let love and loyalty
always show like a necklace,
    and write them in your mind.
⁴ God and people will like you
    and hold you in high esteem.

⁵ With all your heart
you must trust the Lord
    and not your own judgment.
⁶ Always let him lead you,
and he will clear the road
    for you to follow.
⁷ Don't ever think that you
    are wise enough,
but respect the Lord
    and stay away from evil.
⁸ This will make you healthy,
    and you will feel strong.
⁹ Honor the Lord by giving him
your money and the first part
    of all your crops.
¹⁰ Then you will have
more grain and grapes
    than you will ever need.

¹¹ My child, don't turn away
or become bitter
    when the Lord corrects you.
¹² The Lord corrects
    everyone he loves,
just as parents correct
    a child they dearly love.

The Value of Wisdom

¹³ God blesses everyone
who has wisdom
    and common sense.
¹⁴ Wisdom is worth more
    than silver;
it makes you much richer
    than gold.
¹⁵ Wisdom is more valuable
    than precious jewels;
nothing you want
    compares with her.

¹⁶ In her right hand
    Wisdom holds a long life,
and in her left hand
    are wealth and honor.
¹⁷ Wisdom makes life pleasant
    and leads us safely along.
¹⁸ Wisdom is a life-giving tree,
the source of happiness
    for all who hold on to her.

¹⁹ By his wisdom and knowledge
the Lord created
    heaven and earth.
²⁰ By his understanding
he let the ocean break loose
    and clouds release the rain.
²¹ My child, use common sense
and sound judgment!
    Always keep them in mind.
²² They will help you to live
    a long and beautiful life.
²³ You will walk safely
    and never stumble;
²⁴ you will rest without a worry
    and sleep soundly.
²⁵ So don't be afraid
    of sudden disasters
or storms that strike
    those who are evil.
²⁶ You can be sure that the Lord
    will protect you from harm.

²⁷ Do all you can for everyone
    who deserves your help.
²⁸ Don't tell your neighbor
to come back tomorrow,
    if you can help today.
²⁹ Don't try to be mean
    to neighbors who trust you.
³⁰ Don't argue just to be arguing,
    when you haven't been hurt.
³¹ Don't be jealous
of cruel people
    or follow their example.

³² The Lord doesn't like
    anyone who is dishonest,
but he lets good people
    be his friends.
³³ He places a curse on the home
    of everyone who is evil,
but he blesses the home
    of every good person.
³⁴ The Lord sneers at those
    who sneer at him,
but he is kind to everyone
    who is humble.
³⁵ You will be praised
    if you are wise,
but you will be disgraced
    if you are a stubborn fool.

English Standard Version

Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but let your heart keep my commandments,
² for length of days and years of life
    and peace they will add to you.

³ Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
    bind them around your neck;
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ So you will find favor and good success^[a]
    in the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
⁸ It will be healing to your flesh^[b]
    and refreshment^[c] to your bones.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled with plenty,
    and your vats will be bursting with wine.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
    or be weary of his reproof,
¹² for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
    as a father the son in whom he delights.

Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom

¹³ Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
    and the one who gets understanding,
¹⁴ for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
    and her profit better than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than jewels,
    and nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
    in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
    and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
    those who hold her fast are called blessed.

¹⁹ The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
    by understanding he established the heavens;
²⁰ by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
    and the clouds drop down the dew.

²¹ My son, do not lose sight of these—
    keep sound wisdom and discretion,
²² and they will be life for your soul
    and adornment for your neck.
²³ Then you will walk on your way securely,
    and your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden terror
    or of the ruin^[d] of the wicked, when it comes,
²⁶ for the Lord will be your confidence
    and will keep your foot from being caught.
²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,^[e]
    when it is in your power to do it.

²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
    tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with you.
²⁹ Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
    who dwells trustingly beside you.
³⁰ Do not contend with a man for no reason,
    when he has done you no harm.
³¹ Do not envy a man of violence
    and do not choose any of his ways,
³² for the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
    but the upright are in his confidence.
³³ The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,
    but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
³⁴ Toward the scorners he is scornful,
    but to the humble he gives favor.^[f]
35 The wise will inherit honor,
    but fools get^[g] disgrace.

Footnotes

1. Proverbs 3:4 Or repute

2. Proverbs 3:8 Hebrew navel

3. Proverbs 3:8 Or medicine

4. Proverbs 3:25 Hebrew storm

5. Proverbs 3:27 Hebrew Do not withhold good from its owners

6. Proverbs 3:34 Or grace

7. Proverbs 3:35 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain

International Children’s Bible

Advice to Children

3 My child, do not forget my teaching.
    Keep my commands in mind.
² Then you will live a long time.
    And your life will be successful.

³ Don’t ever stop being kind and truthful.
    Let kindness and truth show in all you do.
    Write them down in your mind as if on a tablet.
⁴ Then you will be respected
    and pleasing to both God and men.

⁵ Trust the Lord with all your heart.
    Don’t depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Remember the Lord in everything you do.
    And he will give you success.

⁷ Don’t depend on your own wisdom.
    Respect the Lord and refuse to do wrong.
⁸ Then your body will be healthy.
    And your bones will be strong.

⁹ Honor the Lord by giving him part of your wealth.
    Give him the firstfruits from all your crops.
¹⁰ Then your barns will be full.
    And your wine barrels will overflow with new wine.

¹¹ My child, do not reject the Lord’s discipline.
    And don’t become angry when he corrects you.
¹² The Lord corrects those he loves,
    just as a father corrects the child that he likes.

¹³ Happy is the person who finds wisdom.
    And happy is the person who gets understanding.
¹⁴ Wisdom is worth more than silver.
    It brings more profit than gold.
¹⁵ Wisdom is more precious than rubies.
    Nothing you want is equal to it.
¹⁶ With her right hand wisdom offers you a long life.
    With her left hand she gives you riches and honor.
¹⁷ Wisdom will make your life pleasant.
    It will bring you peace.
¹⁸ As a tree makes fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it.
    Everyone who uses wisdom will be happy.

¹⁹ Using his wisdom, the Lord made the earth.
    Using his understanding, he set the sky in place.
²⁰ Using his knowledge, he made rivers flow from underground springs.
    And he made the clouds drop rain on the earth.

²¹ My child, hold on to wisdom and reason.
    Don’t let them out of your sight!
²² They will give you life.
    Like a necklace, they will beautify your life.
²³ Then you will go on your way in safety.
    And you will not get hurt.
²⁴ You won’t need to be afraid when you lie down.
    When you lie down, your sleep will be peaceful.
²⁵ You won’t need to be afraid of trouble coming suddenly.
    You won’t need to fear the ruin that comes to the wicked.
²⁶ The Lord will keep you safe.
    He will keep you from being trapped.

²⁷ Whenever you are able,
    do good to people who need help.
²⁸ If you have what your neighbor asks for,
    don’t say to him,
    “Come back later. I will give it to you tomorrow.”
²⁹ Don’t make plans to hurt your neighbor.
    He lives nearby and trusts you.
³⁰ Don’t accuse a man for no good reason.
    Don’t accuse him if he has not harmed you.

³¹ Don’t be jealous of men who use violence.
    And don’t choose to be like them.
³² The Lord hates those who do wrong.
    But he is a friend to those who are honest.
³³ The Lord will put a curse on the evil person’s house.
    But he will bless the home of people who do what is right.
³⁴ The Lord laughs at those who laugh at him.
    But he is kind to those who are not proud.
³⁵ Wise people will receive honor.
    But foolish people will be disgraced.

New American Standard Bible

The Rewards of Wisdom

3 My son, do not forget my ^[a]teaching,
But have your heart comply with my commandments;
² For length of days and years of life
And peace they will add to you.
³ Do not let kindness and truth leave you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ So you will find favor and a good ^[b]reputation
In the sight of God and man.
⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
⁸ It will be healing to your ^[c]body
And refreshment to your bones.
⁹ Honor the Lord from your wealth,
And from the first of all your produce;
¹⁰ Then your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
¹¹ My son, do not reject the ^[d]discipline of the Lord
Or loathe His rebuke,
¹² For whom the Lord loves He disciplines,
Just as a father disciplines the son in whom he delights.

¹³ Blessed is a person who finds wisdom,
And one who obtains understanding.
¹⁴ For ^[e]her profit is better than the profit of silver,
And her produce better than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than ^[f]jewels,
And nothing you desire compares with her.
^16 [g]Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
And all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are those who hold on to her.
¹⁹ The Lord founded the earth by wisdom,
He established the heavens by understanding.
²⁰ By His knowledge the ocean depths were burst open,
And the clouds drip with dew.
²¹ My son, see that they do not escape from your sight;
Comply with sound wisdom and discretion,
²² And they will be life to your soul
And adornment to your neck.
²³ Then you will walk in your way securely,
And your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden danger,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
²⁶ For the Lord will be ^[h]your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.

²⁷ Do not withhold good from ^[i]those to whom it is due,
When it is in your power to do it.
²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it to you,”
When you have it with you.
²⁹ Do not devise harm against your neighbor,
While he lives securely beside you.
³⁰ Do not contend with a person for no reason,
If he has done you no harm.
³¹ Do not envy a violent person,
And do not choose any of his ways.
³² For the devious are an abomination to the Lord;
But ^[j]He is intimate with the upright.
³³ The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the righteous.
³⁴ Though He scoffs at the scoffers,
Yet He gives grace to the needy.
³⁵ The wise will inherit honor,
But fools ^[k]increase dishonor.

Footnotes

1. Proverbs 3:1 Or law

2. Proverbs 3:4 Lit understanding

3. Proverbs 3:8 Lit navel

4. Proverbs 3:11 Or instruction

5. Proverbs 3:14 I.e., the profit from Wisdom (personified)

6. Proverbs 3:15 Lit corals

7. Proverbs 3:16 Lit Length of days

8. Proverbs 3:26 Or at your side

9. Proverbs 3:27 Lit its owners

10. Proverbs 3:32 Lit His private counsel is

11. Proverbs 3:35 Lit raise high

New International Version

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being

3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in your heart,
² for they will prolong your life many years
    and bring you peace and prosperity.

³ Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
    bind them around your neck,
    write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will win favor and a good name
    in the sight of God and man.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart
    and lean not on your own understanding;
⁶ in all your ways submit to him,
    and he will make your paths straight.^[a]

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord and shun evil.
⁸ This will bring health to your body
    and nourishment to your bones.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth,
    with the firstfruits of all your crops;
¹⁰ then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
    and your vats will brim over with new wine.

¹¹ My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
    and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    as a father the son he delights in.^[b]

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.
¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶ Long life is in her right hand;
    in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸ She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.

¹⁹ By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
    by understanding he set the heavens in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
    and the clouds let drop the dew.

²¹ My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²² they will be life for you,
    an ornament to grace your neck.
²³ Then you will go on your way in safety,
    and your foot will not stumble.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
    when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
²⁶ for the Lord will be at your side
    and will keep your foot from being snared.

²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.
²⁹ Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
    who lives trustfully near you.
³⁰ Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
    when they have done you no harm.

³¹ Do not envy the violent
    or choose any of their ways.

³² For the Lord detests the perverse
    but takes the upright into his confidence.
³³ The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
    but he blesses the home of the righteous.
³⁴ He mocks proud mockers
    but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
³⁵ The wise inherit honor,
    but fools get only shame.

Footnotes

1. Proverbs 3:6 Or will direct your paths

2. Proverbs 3:12 Hebrew; Septuagint loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child

New Living Translation

Trusting in the Lord

3 My child,^[a] never forget the things I have taught you.
    Store my commands in your heart.
² If you do this, you will live many years,
    and your life will be satisfying.
³ Never let loyalty and kindness leave you!
    Tie them around your neck as a reminder.
    Write them deep within your heart.
⁴ Then you will find favor with both God and people,
    and you will earn a good reputation.

⁵ Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
    do not depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Seek his will in all you do,
    and he will show you which path to take.

⁷ Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom.
    Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
⁸ Then you will have healing for your body
    and strength for your bones.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and with the best part of everything you produce.
¹⁰ Then he will fill your barns with grain,
    and your vats will overflow with good wine.

¹¹ My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline,
    and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
¹² For the Lord corrects those he loves,
    just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.^[b]

¹³ Joyful is the person who finds wisdom,
    the one who gains understanding.
¹⁴ For wisdom is more profitable than silver,
    and her wages are better than gold.
¹⁵ Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶ She offers you long life in her right hand,
    and riches and honor in her left.
¹⁷ She will guide you down delightful paths;
    all her ways are satisfying.
¹⁸ Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her;
    happy are those who hold her tightly.

¹⁹ By wisdom the Lord founded the earth;
    by understanding he created the heavens.
²⁰ By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth,
    and the dew settles beneath the night sky.

²¹ My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment.
    Hang on to them,
²² for they will refresh your soul.
    They are like jewels on a necklace.
²³ They keep you safe on your way,
    and your feet will not stumble.
²⁴ You can go to bed without fear;
    you will lie down and sleep soundly.
²⁵ You need not be afraid of sudden disaster
    or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
²⁶ for the Lord is your security.
    He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

²⁷ Do not withhold good from those who deserve it
    when it’s in your power to help them.
²⁸ If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say,
    “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”

²⁹ Don’t plot harm against your neighbor,
    for those who live nearby trust you.
³⁰ Don’t pick a fight without reason,
    when no one has done you harm.

³¹ Don’t envy violent people
    or copy their ways.
³² Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord,
    but he offers his friendship to the godly.

³³ The Lord curses the house of the wicked,
    but he blesses the home of the upright.

³⁴ The Lord mocks the mockers
    but is gracious to the humble.^[c]

³⁵ The wise inherit honor,
    but fools are put to shame!

Footnotes

1. 3:1 Hebrew My son; also in 3:11, 21.

2. 3:12 Greek version reads loves, / and he punishes those he accepts as his children. Compare Heb 12:6.

3. 3:34 Greek version reads The Lord opposes the proud / but gives grace to the humble. Compare Jas 4:6; 1 Pet 5:5.