Proverbs 3 - Contemporary English Version (CEV)

Trust God

3 My child, remember
my teachings and instructions
and obey them completely.
2 They will help you live
a long and prosperous life.
3 Let love and loyalty
always show like a necklace,
and write them in your mind.
4 (A) God and people will like you
and hold you in high esteem.

5 With all your heart
you must trust the Lord
and not your own judgment.
6 Always let him lead you,
and he will clear the road
for you to follow.
7 (B) Don't ever think that you
are wise enough,
but respect the Lord
and stay away from evil.
8 This will make you healthy,
and you will feel strong.
9 Honor the Lord by giving him
your money and the first part
of all your crops.
10 Then you will have
more grain and grapes
than you will ever need.

11 (C)(D) My child, don't turn away
or become bitter
when the Lord corrects you.
12 (E) The Lord corrects
everyone he loves,
just as parents correct
a child they dearly love.

The Value of Wisdom

13 God blesses everyone
who has wisdom
and common sense.
14 Wisdom is worth more
than silver;
it makes you much richer
than gold.
15 Wisdom is more valuable
than precious jewels;
nothing you want
compares with her.

16 In her right hand
Wisdom holds a long life,
and in her left hand
are wealth and honor.
17 Wisdom makes life pleasant
and leads us safely along.
18 Wisdom is a life-giving tree,
the source of happiness
for all who hold on to her.

19 By his wisdom and knowledge
the Lord created
heaven and earth.
20 By his understanding
he let the ocean break loose
and clouds release the rain.
21 My child, use common sense
and sound judgment!
Always keep them in mind.
22 They will help you to live
a long and beautiful life.
23 You will walk safely
and never stumble;
24 you will rest without a worry
and sleep soundly.
25 So don't be afraid
of sudden disasters
or storms that strike
those who are evil.
26 You can be sure that the Lord
will protect you from harm.

27 (F) Do all you can for everyone
who deserves your help.
28 Don't tell your neighbor
to come back tomorrow,
if you can help today.
29 Don't try to be mean
to neighbors who trust you.
30 Don't argue just to be arguing,
when you haven't been hurt.
31 Don't be jealous
of cruel people
or follow their example.

32 The Lord doesn't like
anyone who is dishonest,
but he lets good people
be his friends.
33 He places a curse on the home
of everyone who is evil,
but he blesses the home
of every good person.
34 (G) The Lord sneers at those
who sneer at him,
but he is kind to everyone
who is humble.
35 You will be praised
if you are wise,
but you will be disgraced
if you are a stubborn fool.

Cross references

  1. 3.4 : Lk 2.52.
  2. 3.7 : Ro 12.16.
  3. 3.11 : Job 5.17.
  4. 3.11,12 : He 12.5,6.
  5. 3.12 : Rev 3.19.
  6. 3.27,28 : Si 4.3.
  7. 3.34 : Jas 4.6; 1 P 5.5.

You Might Also Like:

Proverbs 3 - Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

3 My son! my law forget not, And my commands let thy heart keep, 2 For length of days and years, Life and peace they do add to thee. 3 Let not kindness and truth forsake thee, Bind them on thy neck, Write them on the tablet of thy heart, 4 And find grace and good understanding In the eyes of God and...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - Wycliffe Bible (WYC)

3 My son, forget thou not my law; and thine heart keep my commandments. 2 For they shall set to thee the length of days, and the years of life, and peace. 3 Mercy and truth forsake thee not; bind thou those to thy throat, and write them in the tables of thine heart. (Let not mercy and truth desert t...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - World English Bible (WEB)

3 My son, don’t forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments:2 for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace.3 Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.4 So you will find favor, and good understand...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - The Voice (VOICE)

3 My son, always remember what I have taught you; keep my instructions dear to your heart.2 If you do, they will be your guide to a long, healthy, prosperous life. 3 Stay focused; do not lose sight of mercy and truth; engrave them on a pendant, and hang it around your neck; meditate on them so they ...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - Tree of Life Version (TLV)

In All Your Ways Acknowledge Him3 My son, do not forget my teaching,[a]but let your heart keep my mitzvot.2 For length of days and years of life,and shalom they will add to you. 3 Let kindness and truth never leave you—bind them around your neck,write them on the tablet of your heart.4 Then you will...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition (RSVCE)

Admonition to Trust and Honor God3 My son, do not forget my teaching,but let your heart keep my commandments;2 for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you. 3 Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your hea...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - Revised Standard Version (RSV)

Admonition to Trust and Honor God3 My son, do not forget my teaching,but let your heart keep my commandments;2 for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare will they give you. 3 Let not loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them on the tablet of your hea...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - New Revised Standard Version, Anglicised (NRSVA)

Admonition to Trust and Honour God3 My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;2 for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you. 3 Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them round your neck, write them on the tablet of y...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

Admonition to Trust and Honor God3 My child, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,(A)2 for length of days and years of life and abundant welfare they will give you.(B)3 Do not let loyalty and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - New Living Translation (NLT)

Trusting in the Lord3 My child,[a] never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.2 If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.3 Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your ...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - New Life Version (NLV)

The Reward That Comes from Following Wisdom3 My son, do not forget my teaching. Let your heart keep my words. 2 For they will add to you many days and years of life and peace. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you. Tie them around your neck. Write them upon your heart. 4 So you will find favo...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - New King James Version (NKJV)

Guidance for the Young3 My son, do not forget my law,(A)But let your heart keep my commands;2 For length of days and long lifeAnd (B)peace they will add to you. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you;(C)Bind them around your neck,(D)Write them on the tablet of your heart,4 (E)And so find favor and [a...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Wisdom bestows well-being3 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them round your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.4 Then you ...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - New International Version (NIV)

Wisdom Bestows Well-Being3 My son,(A) do not forget my teaching,(B) but keep my commands in your heart,2 for they will prolong your life many years(C) and bring you peace and prosperity.(D) 3 Let love and faithfulness(E) never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your h...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

More Good Things Come From Wisdom3 My son, do not forget my teaching. Keep my commands in your heart.2 They will help you live for many years. They will bring you peace and success. 3 Don’t let love and truth ever leave you. Tie them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.4 Then yo...
Read More

Proverbs 3 - New Century Version (NCV)

Advice to Children3 My child, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in mind.2 Then you will live a long time, and your life will be successful. 3 Don’t ever forget kindness and truth. Wear them like a necklace. Write them on your heart as if on a tablet.4 Then you will be respected and wil...
Read More