Proverbs 3
Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
1
My son, do not forget my law,
a But let your heart keep my commands;
2
For length of days and long life
And b peace they will add to you.
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Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
c Bind them around your neck,
d Write them on the tablet of your heart,
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e And so find favor and 1 high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
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f Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
g And lean not on your own understanding;
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h In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall 2 direct your paths.
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Do not be wise in your own i eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
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It will be health to your 3 flesh,
And j strength 4 to your bones.
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k Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
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l So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
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m My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
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For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
n Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
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o Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
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p For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
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She is more precious than rubies,
And q all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
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r Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
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s Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
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She is t a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who 5 retain her.
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u The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
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By His knowledge the depths were v broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.
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My son, let them not depart from your eyes -
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
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So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
23
w Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
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When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
25
x Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
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For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
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y Do not withhold good from 6 those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
28
z Do not say to your neighbor,
"Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,"
When you have it with you.
29
Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety's sake.
30
a Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
31
b Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
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For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD,
c But His secret counsel is with the upright.
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d The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But e He blesses the home of the just.
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f Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
35
The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.