Advice to Children
3 My child, do not forget my teaching.
Keep my commands in mind.
2 Then you will live a long time.
And your life will be successful.
3 Don’t ever stop being kind and truthful.
Let kindness and truth show in all you do.
Write them down in your mind as if on a tablet.
4 Then you will be respected
and pleasing to both God and men.
5 Trust the Lord with all your heart.
Don’t depend on your own understanding.
6 Remember the Lord in everything you do.
And he will give you success.
7 Don’t depend on your own wisdom.
Respect the Lord and refuse to do wrong.
8 Then your body will be healthy.
And your bones will be strong.
9 Honor the Lord by giving him part of your wealth.
Give him the firstfruits from all your crops.
10 Then your barns will be full.
And your wine barrels will overflow with new wine.
11 My child, do not reject the Lord’s discipline.
And don’t become angry when he corrects you.
12 The Lord corrects those he loves,
just as a father corrects the child that he likes.
13 Happy is the person who finds wisdom.
And happy is the person who gets understanding.
14 Wisdom is worth more than silver.
It brings more profit than gold.
15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies.
Nothing you want is equal to it.
16 With her right hand wisdom offers you a long life.
With her left hand she gives you riches and honor.
17 Wisdom will make your life pleasant.
It will bring you peace.
18 As a tree makes fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it.
Everyone who uses wisdom will be happy.
19 Using his wisdom, the Lord made the earth.
Using his understanding, he set the sky in place.
20 Using his knowledge, he made rivers flow from underground springs.
And he made the clouds drop rain on the earth.
21 My child, hold on to wisdom and reason.
Don’t let them out of your sight!
22 They will give you life.
Like a necklace, they will beautify your life.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety.
And you will not get hurt.
24 You won’t need to be afraid when you lie down.
When you lie down, your sleep will be peaceful.
25 You won’t need to be afraid of trouble coming suddenly.
You won’t need to fear the ruin that comes to the wicked.
26 The Lord will keep you safe.
He will keep you from being trapped.
27 Whenever you are able,
do good to people who need help.
28 If you have what your neighbor asks for,
don’t say to him,
“Come back later. I will give it to you tomorrow.”
29 Don’t make plans to hurt your neighbor.
He lives nearby and trusts you.
30 Don’t accuse a man for no good reason.
Don’t accuse him if he has not harmed you.
31 Don’t be jealous of men who use violence.
And don’t choose to be like them.
32 The Lord hates those who do wrong.
But he is a friend to those who are honest.
33 The Lord will put a curse on the evil person’s house.
But he will bless the home of people who do what is right.
34 The Lord laughs at those who laugh at him.
But he is kind to those who are not proud.
35 Wise people will receive honor.
But foolish people will be disgraced.