The Mind of God Sundays: Proverbs 3

Proverbs 3 (English Standard Version)

¹My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
²for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.

³Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.

⁵Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
⁷Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.
⁸It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.

⁹Honor the LORD with your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your produce;
¹⁰then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.

¹¹My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
¹²for the LORD reproves him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.

¹³Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
¹⁴for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.
¹⁵She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with her.
¹⁶Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
¹⁸She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.

¹⁹The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the heavens;
²⁰by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.

²¹My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
²²and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
²³Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
²⁴If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
²⁵Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it comes,
²⁶for the LORD will be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.
²⁷Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.

²⁸Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it"—when you have it with you.
²⁹Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.
³⁰Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.
³¹Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
³²for the devious person is an abomination to the LORD,
but the upright are in his confidence.
³³The LORD’s curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
³⁴Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favor.
³⁵The wise will inherit honor,
but fools get disgrace.