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Proverbs 3
How to acquire wisdom
1 My son, do not forget my teaching, let your heart keep my principles,
2 for these will give you lengthier days, longer years of life, and greater happiness.
3 Let kindliness and loyalty never leave you: tie them round your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So shall you enjoy favour and good repute in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust wholeheartedly in Yahweh, put no faith in your own perception;
6 in every course you take, have him in mind: he will see that your paths are smooth.
7 Do not think of yourself as wise, fear Yahweh and turn your back on evil:
8 health-giving, this, to your body, relief to your bones.
9 Honour Yahweh with what goods you have and with the first-fruits of all your returns;
10 then your barns will be filled with wheat, your vats overflowing with new wine.
11 My son, do not scorn correction from Yahweh, do not resent his rebuke;
12 for Yahweh reproves the man he loves, as a father checks a well-loved son.
The joys of wisdom
13 Happy the man who discovers wisdom, the man who gains discernment:
14 gaining her is more rewarding than silver, more profitable than gold.
15 She is beyond the price of pearls, nothing you could covet is her equal.
16 In her right hand is length of days; in her left hand, riches and honour.
17 Her ways are delightful ways, her paths all lead to contentment.
18 She is a tree of life for those who hold her fast, those who cling to her live happy lives.
19 By wisdom, Yahweh set the earth on its foundations, by discernment, he fixed the heavens firm.
20 Through his knowledge the depths were carved out, and the clouds rain down the dew.
21 My son, hold to sound judgement and to prudence, do not let them out of your sight;
22 they will prove the life of your soul, an ornament round your neck.
23 You will go on your way in safety, your feet will not stumble.
24 When you sit down, you will not be afraid, when you lie down, sweet will be your sleep.
25 Have no fear of sudden terror or of assault from wicked men,
26 since Yahweh will be your guarantor, he will keep your steps from the snare.
27 Do not refuse a kindness to anyone who begs it, if it is in your power to perform it.
28 Do not say to your neighbour, ‘Go away! Come another time! I will give it you tomorrow’, if you can do it now.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbour as he lives unsuspecting next door.
30 Do not pick a groundless quarrel with a man who has done you no harm.
31 Do not emulate the man of violence, never model your conduct on his;
32 for the wilful wrong-doer is abhorrent to Yahweh, who confides only in honest men.
33 Yahweh’s curse lies on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the virtuous.
34 He mocks those who mock, but accords his favour to the humble.
35 Honour is the portion of the wise, all that fools inherit is disgrace.