1My son , forget not my law ; but let thine heart keep my commandments : 2For length of days , and long life , and peace , shall they add to thee. 3Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck ; write them upon the table of thine heart : 4So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man . 5Trust in the LORD with all thine heart ; and lean not unto thine own understanding . 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths .
The Benefits of Wisdom
7Be not wise in thine own eyes : fear the LORD , and depart from evil . 8It shall be health to thy navel , and marrow to thy bones . 9Honour the LORD with thy substance , and with the firstfruits of all thine increase : 10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty , and thy presses shall burst out with new wine . 11My son , despise not the chastening of the LORD ; neither be weary of his correction : 12For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth ; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth .
The Discipline of the Lord
13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom , and the man that getteth understanding . 14For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver , and the gain thereof than fine gold . 15She is more precious than rubies : and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. 16Length of days is in her right hand ; and in her left hand riches and honour . 17Her ways are ways of pleasantness , and all her paths are peace . 18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. 19The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth ; by understanding hath he established the heavens . 20By his knowledge the depths are broken up , and the clouds drop down the dew .
The Blessings of Wisdom
21My son , let not them depart from thine eyes : keep sound wisdom and discretion : 22So shall they be life unto thy soul , and grace to thy neck . 23Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely , and thy foot shall not stumble . 24When thou liest down , thou shalt not be afraid : yea, thou shalt lie down , and thy sleep shall be sweet . 25Be not afraid of sudden fear , neither of the desolation of the wicked , when it cometh . 26For the LORD shall be thy confidence , and shall keep thy foot from being taken . 27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due , when it is in the power of thine hand to do it . 28Say not unto thy neighbour , Go , and come again , and to morrow I will give ; when thou hast it by thee. 29Devise not evil against thy neighbour , seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 30Strive not with a man without cause , if he have done thee no harm . 31Envy thou not the oppressor , and choose none of his ways . 32For the froward is abomination to the LORD : but his secret is with the righteous . 33The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked : but he blesseth the habitation of the just . 34Surely he scorneth the scorners : but he giveth grace unto the lowly . 35The wise shall inherit glory : but shame shall be the promotion of fools .