More Good Things Come From Wisdom
1My son, do not forget my teaching.
Keep my commands in your heart.
2They will help you live for many years.
They will bring you peace and success.
3Don’t let love and truth ever leave you.
Tie them around your neck.
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4Then you will find favor and a good name
in the eyes of God and people.
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Do not depend on your own understanding.
6In all your ways obey him.
Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.
7Don’t be wise in your own eyes.
Have respect for the Lord and avoid evil.
8That will bring health to your body.
It will make your bones strong.
9Honor the Lord with your wealth.
Give him the first share of all your crops.
10Then your storerooms will be so full they can’t hold everything.
Your huge jars will spill over with fresh wine.
11My son, do not hate the Lord’s training.
Do not object when he corrects you.
12The Lord trains those he loves.
He is like a father who trains the son he is pleased with.
13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom.
Blessed is the one who gains understanding.
14Wisdom pays better than silver does.
She earns more than gold does.
15She is worth more than rubies.
Nothing you want can compare with her.
16Long life is in her right hand.
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are pleasant ways.
All her paths lead to peace.
18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her.
Those who hold her close will be blessed.
19By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations.
Through understanding he set the heavens in place.
20By his knowledge the seas were separated,
and the clouds dropped their dew.
21My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight.
Hold on to good sense and the understanding of what is right.
22They will be life for you.
They will be like a gracious necklace around your neck.
23Then you will go on your way in safety.
You will not trip and fall.
24When you lie down, you won’t be afraid.
When you lie down, you will sleep soundly.
25Don’t be terrified by sudden trouble.
Don’t be afraid when sinners are destroyed.
26The Lord will be at your side.
He will keep your feet from being caught in a trap.
27Don’t hold back good from those who are worthy of it.
Don’t hold it back when you can help.
28Suppose you already have something to give.
Don’t say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow.
I’ll give it to you then.”
29Don’t plan to harm your neighbor.
He lives near you and trusts you.
30Don’t bring charges against anyone for no reason.
They have not harmed you.
31Don’t be jealous of a person who hurts others.
Don’t choose any of their ways.
32The Lord really hates sinful people.
But he makes honest people his closest friends.
33The Lord puts a curse on the houses of sinners.
But he blesses the homes of those who do what is right.
34He makes fun of proud people who make fun of others.
But he gives grace to those who are humble and treated badly.
35Wise people receive honor.
But foolish people get only shame.
信靠耶和华
1孩子啊，不要忘记我的训言，
要把我的诫命存在心里，
2因为这必使你延年益寿，
幸福平安。
3不要让慈爱和信实离开你，
要把他们系在你的颈项上，
刻在你的心坎上。
4这样，你必蒙上帝和世人的喜悦，
享有美誉。
5你要全心信靠耶和华，
不可倚靠自己的悟性。
6凡事都要寻求祂，
祂必指引你走正路。
7不要自以为有智慧，
要敬畏耶和华，远离恶事。
8这样可医治你的身体，
滋润你的筋骨。
9你要用自己的财富和一切初熟的物产来尊崇耶和华，
10祂必使你五谷满仓，
榨酒池溢出新酿。
11孩子啊，不可轻视耶和华的管教，
也不可厌烦祂的责备。
12因为耶和华责备祂所爱的人，
就像父亲责备他所疼爱的孩子。
13找到智慧、得到悟性的人有福了，
14因为智慧比银子更有价值，
比金子更有益处，
15比珠宝更珍贵；
你所喜爱的一切都难以相比。
16智慧的右手有长寿，
左手有富贵和尊荣。
17她的路上有福乐，
她的道上有平安。
18对持守智慧的人来说，
智慧是生命树，
紧握智慧的人必蒙祝福。
19耶和华以智慧奠立大地，
以悟性铺设诸天；
20祂的知识使深渊裂开，
使天上降下甘霖。
21孩子啊，你要守护智慧和明辨力，
别让她们离开你的视线。
22她们必给你带来生命，
作你颈项上华美的装饰。
23如此，你必步履稳健，不致失足；
24你必安然躺卧，睡得香甜。
25不要怕突来的灾祸，
不要怕恶人遭毁灭，
26因为耶和华是你的靠山，
祂使你的脚不陷入网罗。
27倘若有力量行善，
就当帮助有需要的人，不要推托。
28倘若可以帮忙，
就不可对有求于你的邻人说：
“回去吧，明天再来，我必给你！”
29邻舍在你附近安分居住，
不可谋害他。
30别人若没有害你，
不要无故与他相争。
31不要羡慕残暴之徒，
也不可步其后尘，
32因为耶和华憎恶邪僻之徒，
喜爱正直的人。
33耶和华咒诅恶人的家，
赐福义人的家。
34耶和华讥笑好讥诮的人，
恩待谦卑的人。
35智者得尊荣，
愚人受羞辱。
