Trust Yahweh with All Your Heart
1My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; 2for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace. 3Let kindness and faithfulness never leave you: bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. 4Then you will find favor and good repute in the eyes of God and of people. 5Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6In all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. 7Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahweh and turn away from evil. 8It will be healing for your body and refreshment for your bones. 9Honor Yahweh with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your produce; 10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. 11My son, do not reject the discipline of Yahweh, and do not resent his reproof; 12for Yahweh reproves the one he loves, as a father the son he delights in.
Wisdom Is Worth More than Gold
13Happy is the one who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding; 14for her profit is better than the profit of silver, and her yield than fine gold. 15She is more precious than corals; nothing you could desire compares with her. 16Length of days is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor. 17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her pathways are peace. 18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy. 19By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth; by understanding he set the heavens in place; 20by his knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drip down dew. 21My son, do not let them out of your sight: keep sound judgment and discretion, 22and they will be life for your soul and grace for your neck. 23Then you will walk your way in safety, and your foot will not stumble. 24When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. 25Do not fear sudden terror, or the ruin of the wicked when it comes; 26for Yahweh will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the trap.
Do Not Withhold Good
27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is owed, when it is in your power to do it. 28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away and come back; tomorrow I will give it,” when you have it with you. 29Do not plot harm against your neighbor while he lives trustingly beside you. 30Do not quarrel with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm. 31Do not envy a violent man, and do not choose any of his ways; 32for the devious are an abomination to Yahweh, but the upright are in his confidence. 33The curse of Yahweh is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous. 34He scoffs at the scoffers, but to the humble he gives grace. 35The wise inherit honor, but fools carry off shame.
