The Proverbs

⭑ Geneva Bible :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 3 -

A blessing of wisdom

My sonne, forget not thou my Lawe, but let thine heart keepe my commandements.

For they shall increase the length of thy dayes and the yeeres of life, and thy prosperitie.

Let not mercie and trueth forsake thee: binde them on thy necke, and write them vpon the table of thine heart.

So shalt thou finde fauour and good vnderstanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and leane not vnto thine owne wisdome.

In all thy wayes acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy wayes.

Be not wise in thine owne eyes: but feare the Lord, and depart from euill.

So health shalbe vnto thy nauel, and marowe vnto thy bones.

Honour the Lord with thy riches, and with the first fruites of all thine increase.

So shall thy barnes be filled with abundance, and thy presses shall burst with newe wine.

My sonne, refuse not the chastening of the Lord, neither be grieued with his correction.

For the Lord correcteth him, whome he loueth, euen as the father doeth the childe in whom he deliteth.

Wisdom is more valuable than riches

Blessed is the man that findeth wisedome, and the man that getteth vnderstanding.

For the marchandise thereof is better then the marchandise of siluer, and the gaine thereof is better then golde.

It is more precious then pearles: and all things that thou canst desire, are not to be compared vnto her.

Length of dayes is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory.

Her wayes are wayes of pleasure, and all her pathes prosperitie.

She is a tree of life to them that lay holde on her, and blessed is he that retaineth her.

The Lord by wisdome hath layde the foundation of the earth, and hath stablished the heauens through vnderstanding.

By his knowledge the depthes are broken vp, and the cloudes droppe downe the dewe.

The ways of the wise

My sonne, let not these things depart from thine eyes, but obserue wisdome, and counsell.

So they shalbe life to thy soule, and grace vnto thy necke.

Then shalt thou walke safely by thy way: and thy foote shall not stumble.

If thou sleepest, thou shalt not bee afraide, and when thou sleepest, thy sleepe shalbe sweete.

Thou shalt not feare for any sudden feare, neither for the destruction of the wicked, when it commeth.

For the Lord shall be for thine assurance, and shall preserue thy foote from taking.

Withhold not the good from the owners thereof, though there be power in thine hand to doe it.

Say not vnto thy neighbour, Go and come againe, and to morow wil I giue thee, if thou now haue it.

Intend none hurt against thy neighbour, seeing he doeth dwell without feare by thee.

Striue not with a man causelesse, when he hath done thee no harme.

Bee not enuious for the wicked man, neither chuse any of his wayes.

For the frowarde is abomination vnto the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.

The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.

With the scornefull he scorneth, but hee giueth grace vnto the humble.

The wise shall inherite glorie: but fooles dishonour, though they be exalted.

A blessing of wisdom

My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

for they will add to you length of days, years of life, and peace.

Don’t let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.

So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

Don’t be wise in your own eyes. Fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones.

Honor the LORD with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase;

so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

My son, don’t despise the LORD’s discipline, neither be weary of his correction;

for whom the LORD loves, he corrects, even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights.

Wisdom is more valuable than riches

Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding.

For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold.

She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.

Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.

Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.

She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.

By wisdom the LORD founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.

By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.

The ways of the wise

My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck.

Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won’t stumble.

When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.

Don’t be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes;

for the LORD will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken.

Don’t withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

Don’t say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you,” when you have it by you.

Don’t devise evil against your neighbor, since he dwells securely by you.

Don’t strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm.

Don’t envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.

For the perverse is an abomination to the LORD, but his friendship is with the upright.

The LORD’s curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous.

Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble.

The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.