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but let your heart keep My commands;
2 for length of days and years of life
and prosperity they will bring you.
3 Let loyalty and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will find favour and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not rely 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 This will bring healing to your body
and strength to your bones.
9 Honour the Lord with all your possessions,
and with the firstfruits of all your harvest;
10 then your barns will be filled with an abundance,
and your vats will be overflowing with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline
or become weary of His correction,
12 for the Lord disciplines those He loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.
13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
the man who gains understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver,
and her yield better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honour.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her,
and all who hold her fast are happy.
19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom;
by understanding He established the heavens;
20 by His knowledge the watery depths were broken up,
and the clouds let drop the dew.
21 My son, maintain sound wisdom and discretion,
do not let them vanish from your sight;
22 for they will life to your soul
and an adornment for 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 Do not be afraid of sudden danger
or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,
26 for the Lord will be your confidence,
and He 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 neighbour,
“Go, away, and come back later; I will give it tomorrow”—
when you have it with you now.
29 Do not devise harm against your neighbour,
for he lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse a man without cause,
when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a violent man
or choose any of his ways,
32 for the perverse are detestable 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 home of the righteous.
34 He mocks those who mock,
but gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise inherit honour,
but He holds up fools to disgrace.