Guidance for the Young
1 My son, do not forget my law,
# But let your heart keep my commands;
2 For length of days and long life
# Andpeace they will add to you.
3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
# Bind them around your neck,
# Write them on the tablet of your heart,
4 Andso find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in theLordwith all your heart,
# And lean not on your own understanding;
6 In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
7 Do not be wise in your owneyes;
Fear theLordand depart from evil.
8 It will be health to your flesh,
# Andstrength to your bones.
9 Honor theLordwith your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
10 So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 My son, do not despise the chastening of theLord,
Nor detest His correction;
12 For whom theLordloves He corrects,
# Just as a father the soninwhomhe delights.
13 Happyisthe manwhofinds wisdom,
And the manwhogains understanding;
14 For her proceedsarebetter than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
15 Sheismore precious than rubies,
# Andall the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
16 Length of daysisin her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
17 Her waysareways of pleasantness,
And all her pathsarepeace.
18 Sheisa tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happyareallwho retain her.
19 TheLordby wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
20 By His knowledge the depths werebroken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
22 So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
23 Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
26 For theLordwill be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to doso.
28 Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will giveit,”
When you have it with you.
29 Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
30 Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
32 For the perversepersonisan abomination to theLord,
# But His secret counseliswith the upright.
33 The curse of theLordison the house of the wicked,
# ButHe blesses the home of the just.
34 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.