Proverbs 3 - New International Version - UK (NIVUK)

Wisdom bestows well-being

3 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 will win favour and a good name
in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
6 in all your ways submit to him,
and he will make your paths straight.[a]

7 Do not be wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord and shun evil.
8 This will bring health to your body
and nourishment to your bones.

9 Honour the Lord with your wealth,
with the firstfruits of all your crops;
10 then your barns will be filled to overflowing,
and your vats will brim over with new wine.

11 My son, do not despise the Lord’s discipline,
and do not resent his rebuke,
12 because the Lord disciplines those he loves,
as a father the son he delights in.[b]

13 Blessed are those who find wisdom,
those who gain understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver
and yields better returns than gold.
15 She is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honour.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;
those who hold her fast will be blessed.

19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,
by understanding he set the heavens in place;
20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
and the clouds let drop the dew.

21 My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,
preserve sound judgment and discretion;
22 they will be life for you,
an ornament to grace your neck.
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25 Have no fear of sudden disaster
or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
26 for the Lord will be at your side
and will keep your foot from being snared.

27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to act.
28 Do not say to your neighbour,
‘Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you’–
when you already have it with you.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbour,
who lives trustfully near you.
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason –
when they have done you no harm.

31 Do not envy the violent
or choose any of their ways.

32 For the Lord detests the perverse
but takes the upright into his confidence.
33 The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the home of the righteous.
34 He mocks proud mockers
but shows favour to the humble and oppressed.
35 The wise inherit honour,
but fools get only shame.

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 3:6 Or will direct your paths
  2. Proverbs 3:12 Hebrew; Septuagint loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child

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