Proverbs (Sentences), 3
An exhortation to the practice of virtue.
[1] My son, forget not my law, and let thy heart keep my commandments. •
[2] For they shall add to thee length of days, and years of life, and peace. •
[3] Let not mercy aud truth leave thee, put them about thy neck, and write them in the tables of thy heart. •
[4] And thou shalt find grace, and good understanding before God and men. •
[5] Have confidence in the Lord with all thy heart, and lean not upon thy own prudence. •
[6] In all thy ways think on him, and he will direct thy steps. •
[7] Be not wise in thy own conceit: fear God, and depart from evil: •
[8] For it shall be health to thy navel, and moistening to thy bones. •
[9] Honour the Lord with thy substance, and give him of the first of all thy fruits; •
[10] And thy barns shall be filled with abundance, and thy presses shall run over with wine. •
[11] My son, reject not the correction of the Lord: and do not faint when thou art chastised by him: •
[12] For whom the Lord loveth, he chastiseth: and as a father in the son he pleaseth himself. •
[13] Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and is rich in prudence:
[14] The purchasing thereof is better than the merchandise of silver, and her fruit than the chief and purest gold: •
[15] She is more precious than all riches: and all the things that are desired, are not to be compared to her. •
[16] Length of days is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory. •
[17] Her ways are beautiful ways, and all her paths are peaceable. •
[18] She is a tree of life to them that lay hold on her: and he that shall retain her is blessed. •
[19] The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth, hath established the heavens by prudence. •
[20] By his wisdom the depths have broken out, and the clouds grow thick with dew. •
[21] My son, let not these things depart from thy eyes: keep the law and counsel:
[22] And there shall be life to thy soul, and grace to thy mouth. •
[23] Then shalt thou walk confidently in thy way, and thy foot shall not stumble:
[24] If thou sleep, thou shalt not fear: thou shalt rest, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
[25] Be not afraid of sudden fear, nor of the power of the wicked falling upon thee.
[26] For the Lord will be at thy side, and will keep thy foot that thou be not taken.
[27] Do not withhold him from doing good, who is able: if thou art able, do good thyself also. •
[28] Say not to thy friend: Go, and come again: and to morrow I will give to thee: when thou canst give at present. •
[29] Practise not evil against thy friend, when he hath confidence in thee.
[30] Strive not against a man without cause, when he hath done thee no evil. •
[31] Envy not the unjust man, and do not follow his ways. •
[32] For every mocker is an abomination to the Lord, and his communication is with the simple. •
[33] Want is from the Lord in the house of the wicked: but the habitations of the just shall be blessed. •
[34] He shall scorn the scorners, and to the meek he will give grace. •
[35] The wise shall possess glory: the promotion of fools is disgrace. •