1 My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands;
2 for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being.
3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;
6 think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.
7 Don’t consider yourself to be wise; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
8 This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.
9 Honor the LORD with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest;
10 then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine.
11 Do not despise the LORD’s instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline;
12 for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.
Wisdom Brings Happiness
13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding,
14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful.
18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy.
19 The LORD founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.
20 By His knowledge the watery depths broke open, and the clouds dripped with dew.
21 Maintain your competence and discretion. My son, don’t lose sight of them.
22 They will be life for you and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble.
24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.
25 Don’t fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,
26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from a snare.
Treat Others Fairly
27 When it is in your power, don’t withhold good from the one it belongs to.
28 Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come back later. I’ll give it tomorrow” — when it is there with you.
29 Don’t plan any harm against your neighbor, for he trusts you and lives near you.
30 Don’t accuse anyone without cause, when he has done you no harm.
31 Don’t envy a violent man or choose any of his ways;
32 for the devious are detestable to the LORD, but He is a friend to the upright.
33 The LORD’s curse is on the household of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous;
34 He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble.
35 The wise will inherit honor, but He holds up fools to dishonor.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), Proverbs 3:1–35.
10 Only by pride cometh contention: But with the well advised is wisdom.
11 Wealth gotten by vanity shall be diminished: But he that gathereth by labour shall increase.
12 Hope deferred maketh the heart sick: But when the desire cometh, it is a tree of life.
13 Whoso despiseth the word shall be destroyed: But he that feareth the commandment shall be rewarded.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Proverbs 13:10–13.
34 Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Luke 23:34.
6 For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
7 For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.
11 And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Romans 5:6–11.
9 But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me.
10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, catastrophes, persecutions, and in pressures, because of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), 2 Corinthians 12:9–10.
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Titus 3:5–7.
16 Therefore let us approach the throne of grace with boldness, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us at the proper time.
The Holy Bible: Holman Christian Standard Version. (Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers, 2009), Hebrews 4:16.