1My son, keep my teaching in your memory, and my rules in your heart:
2For they will give you increase of days, years of life, and peace.
3Let not mercy and good faith go from you; let them be hanging round your neck, recorded on your heart;
4So you will have grace and a good name in the eyes of God and men.
5Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support.
6In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.
7Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil:
8This will give strength to your flesh, and new life to your bones.
9Give honour to the Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase:
10So your store-houses will be full of grain, and your vessels overflowing with new wine.
11My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's teaching; do not be made angry by his training:
12For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain.
13Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge.
14For trading in it is better than trading in silver, and its profit greater than bright gold.
15She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her.
16Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour.
17Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace.
18She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her.
19The Lord by wisdom put in position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their place.
20By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from the skies.
21My son, keep good sense, and do not let wise purpose go from your eyes.
22So they will be life for your soul, and grace for your neck.
23Then you will go safely on your way, and your feet will have no cause for slipping.
24When you take your rest you will have no fear, and on your bed sleep will be sweet to you.
25Have no fear of sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers:
26For the Lord will be your hope, and will keep your foot from being taken in the net.
27Do not keep back good from those who have a right to it, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.
28Say not to your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you at the time.
29Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is living with you without fear.
30Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong.
31Have no envy of the violent man, or take any of his ways as an example.
32For the wrong-hearted man is hated by the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright.
33The curse of the Lord is on the house of the evil-doer, but his blessing is on the tent of the upright.
34He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted.
35The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish.