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Proverbs

Offers wisdom and advice on how to live a good and meaningful life.

Chapter 3

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1 My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:

*My child, don't forget my teachings; instead, let your heart follow my rules.

2 For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee.

*For more years, a good life, and peace, they will add to you.

3 Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:

*Don't forget to be kind and honest. Keep these values close by, like a reminder around your neck, and always have them in your heart.

4 So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

*You will then gain God's approval and good relationships with both God and people.

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

*Trust in God completely, and don't rely on your own knowledge.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

*Recognize Him in everything you do, and He will guide your way.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

*Don't think you're smart on your own. Fear God and stay away from wrongdoing.

8 It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.

*Your belly will be healthy, and your bone marrow will be rich.

9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:

*Honor God with your possessions and give Him the first part of everything you produce.

10 So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

*Your barns will be full of food, and your containers will overflow with fresh wine.

11 My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

*My child, don't dislike the Lord's discipline; also, don't get tired of His guidance.

12 For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.

*For those the Lord loves, he teaches them; just like a father with his favorite child.

13 Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding.

*Happy is the person who finds wisdom, and happy is the person who gets understanding.

14 For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.

*The profit from it is greater than silver profits, and its gain more valuable than pure gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.

*She is worth more than all the rubies: nothing else you want compares to her.

16 Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour.

*In her right hand, she holds long life. In her left hand, she has wealth and prestige.

17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

*Her path is pleasing and brings peace everywhere.

18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.

*She's a life-giving tree for those who grab onto her: and everyone's happy who keeps her close.

19 The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens.

*The Lord created the world with wisdom, and set up the sky with understanding.

20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.

*Through his understanding, deep places are split apart, and the clouds release the dew.

21 My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:

*My child, don't lose sight of those who matter; cultivate good judgment and careful thinking.

22 So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.

*Thus, they will bring life to your spirit and beauty to your neck.

23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.

*Then you will walk safely on your path, and your foot won't trip.

24 When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.

*When you lie down, don't be scared: yes, you can rest, and your sleep will be peaceful.

25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.

*Don't be scared of sudden fears or the emptiness of bad people when they come.

26 For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.

*The LORD will be your trust, keeping you safe and your footing secure.

27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it.

*Don't withhold goodness from those who deserve it; give it to them when you have the ability to do so.

28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.

*Don't tell your neighbor, "Go away and return later, I'll give you something tomorrow." Instead, give them the thing when you have it with you.

29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee.

*Don't plan bad things for your neighbor, since they live safely right next to you.

30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.

*Don't argue with someone unless you have a reason, if they haven't hurt you in any way.

31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

*Don't envy the unjust person; don't follow their path.

32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.

*Disobed are hated by God, but He keeps their hidden actions safe with good people.

33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.

*God's punishment is for bad people's homes, but He blesses the homes of good people.

34 Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.

*He definitely disregards those who mock, but He gives favor to the humble.

35 The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools.

*Wise people will gain honor: but foolish people will rise through disgrace.

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