Proverbs 3

1 My [beloved] son [descendant, child of God], do not [by no means] forget [be oblivious to, mislay] my teaching [instruction, law], but let your heart [inner being, mind and spirit] keep [watch, guard, treasure] my commandments [laws, divine rules, precepts]; word study 2 for they will add [increase, bring about an extension of] length [duration, a long period of time] to your days [lifestyle, daily experiences], years [seasons, periods of life] and peace [completeness, wellness, friendship with God] to your life [existence, being alive]. word study 3 Never let loving devotion [kindness, mercy] or faithfulness [truth, stability] leave you; bind them around your neck [throat], write them on the tablet [polished stone, wood, or metal] of your heart [inner being, mind, and will]. word study 4 Then you will find [attain, discover] favor [graciousness, kindness] and high regard [good understanding, pleasant reputation] in the sight [eyes, presence] of God [Elohim, the supreme Creator] and man [mankind, humanity]. word study 5 Trust [have confidence, rely completely] in the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God] with all [everything, your entire being] your heart [your innermost thoughts, feelings, and will], and lean [rest, depend] not [in no way, never] on your own [limited, human] understanding [insight, discernment]; word study 6 in all [every aspect of life] your ways [journeys, paths, or manner of life] acknowledge [recognize, give ear to, or know] Him [the Lord, God], and He [the Almighty, Creator] will make [direct, smooth, or straighten] your paths [way of life, footsteps, or journey] straight [right, pleasant, or smooth]. word study 7 Be not [completely] wise in your own eyes [relying on self]; fear [reverence, stand in awe of] the LORD [Yehovah, the one true God] and turn away [depart, remove yourself] from evil [bad, morally wrong]. word study 8 This will bring [wholeness, restoration] healing [a cure] to your body [your entire being] and refreshment [like a cool drink, marrow] to your [innermost, deepest] bones [the substance of your being]. word study 9 Honor [to glorify, make weighty] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] with your wealth [substance, enough or of high value] and with the firstfruits [beginning, first part] of all [everything] your harvest [produce, crops]; word study 10 then your barns [storehouses, grain silos] will be filled [to overflowing, completely satisfied] with plenty [abundance, rich supply], and your vats [wine presses, containers] will overflow [break through, burst forth] with new wine [freshly squeezed, fermented grape juice]. word study 11 My son [descendant, child of God], do not reject [despise, spurn] the discipline [chastening, correction] of the LORD [Yehovah, the Lord God], and do not loathe [be weary of, feel disgusted by] His rebuke [reproof, correction, argument]; word study 12 for the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] disciplines [rebukes, corrects, reproves] the one He loves [has affection for, delights in], as does a father [parent, caregiver] the son [child, descendant] in whom he delights [is pleased with, accepts]. word study 13 Blessed [happy, fortunate] is the man [person, individual] who finds [discovers, attains] wisdom [skill, prudence, good judgment], the man [person, individual] who acquires [gets, gains] understanding [insight, intelligence, discretion], word study 14 for she [being wisdom, having good understanding] is more [extremely, surpassingly] profitable [valuable, beneficial] than silver [money, wealth], and her gain [profit, income] is better [more desirable, superior] than fine [pure, refined] gold [something sharp, dug, of great value]. word study 15 She [the embodiment of wisdom, a precious treasure] is more precious [valuable, highly esteemed] than rubies [jewels, precious stones]; nothing [no thing, not one thing] you desire [long for, take pleasure in] compares [is equal, can be measured] with her [in her excellence, surpassing all else]. word study 16 Long life [length of days, a long period of time] is in her right hand [the right hand or side; the south]; in her left hand [direction of receiving, or the north] are riches [wealth, abundant treasures] and honor [glory, great respect, splendor]. word study 17 All her ways [of pleasantness, delightful paths] are pleasant [agreeable, delightful], and all her paths [roads to peace, journey of peace] are peaceful [characterized by shalom, complete wellness]. word study 18 She [a tree of life] is a tree [a strong and firm object] of life [physical and spiritual vitality] to those who [eagerly, with strong desire] embrace [lay hold of, grasp] her, and those who [firmly, with confidence] lay hold [retain, seize] of her are [truly, deeply] blessed [happy, guided, and content]. word study 19 The LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] founded [established, laid the foundation] the earth [land, ground, or territory] by [through, in] wisdom [skill, prudence, or good judgment] and established [set up, appointed] the heavens [the visible universe, the sky, or the abode of God] by [through, in] understanding [intelligence, insight, or discretion]. word study 20 By His [divine, all-encompassing] knowledge [understanding and insight] the watery depths [the deep waters, abyss] were broken open [to break up, parted], and the clouds [the sky, heavens] dripped [to drip, trickle] with dew [moisture, gentle rain]. word study 21 My son [beloved child, descendant], do not lose sight [let not depart from your eyes, forget] of this: Preserve [keep, watch over] sound [wise, discerning] judgment [discernment, discretion] and [wise] discernment [insight, understanding, wisdom]. word study 22 They will be [a source of] life [alive, full of vitality] to your [inner] soul [the essence of a person] and adornment [grace, favor] to your neck [a sign of honor, respect]. word study 23 Then [at that time, in the future] you will go [walk, journey] on your way [path, journey of life] in safety [security, confidently], and your foot [step, walk] will not [never] stumble [strike, trip, or fall, be hindered]. word study 24 When you lie down [take your rest, sleep], you will not be afraid [dread, have fear]; when you rest [lie down, have peaceful sleep], your sleep [period of slumber, repose] will be sweet [pleasant, agreeable, a delight]. word study 25 Do not [never, under no circumstances] fear [be afraid of, dread] sudden [unexpected, without warning] danger [fear, panic] or the ruin [desolation, devastation] that overtakes [comes upon, strikes] the wicked [morally wrong, unrighteous, those who are guilty of crime or sin against God or others], word study 26 for [because of this reason] the LORD [Yehovah, The covenant Name of God] will be your [source of] confidence [hope, trust, assurance] and will keep [protect, guard, watch over] your foot [step, path, journey] from the snare [trap, capture, being taken]. word study 27 Do not [refuse or deprive] withhold good [benefit, kindness, or welfare] from the deserving [those who have a right to it, or are worthy] when it is within your power [ability, strength, or authority] to act [to do, or to make it happen]. word study 28 Do not [refrain from, let not be] tell your neighbor [friend, companion, or fellow], “Come back [return, go and come again] tomorrow [at a future time, the next day] and I will provide [give, set, or put something at their disposal]”— when you already [at this present moment, with the means available] have the means [possessions, resources, or ability]. word study 29 Do not [intend or plan] devise evil [bad or harm] against your neighbor [friend or companion], for he trustfully [with confidence, securely] dwells [lives or resides] beside you [near or with you]. word study 30 Do not [without reason or cause] accuse a man [the individual, Adam] without cause [for nothing, without justification], when he has done you [treated you, acted towards you] no harm [no evil, no bad]. word study 31 Do not [in no way, never] envy [be jealous of, resent] a violent [cruel, unjust] man [person, individual] or choose [select, prefer] any of his ways [paths, manner of life]; word study 32 for [because of this reason] the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] detests [hates, considers an abomination] the perverse [deceitful, wrong-hearted], but He is a friend [has intimate counsel] to the upright [righteous, just, having God’s nature]. word study 33 The curse [execration, condemnation] of the LORD [Yehovah] is on the house [dwelling place, family] of the wicked [morally wrong, guilty], but He blesses [praises, honors] the home [habitation, pasture] of the righteous [just, upright, having God’s nature]. word study 34 He [scornfully] mocks [scoffs at, makes sport of] the mockers [scorners, those who scoff], but gives [bestows, grants] grace [favor, kindness] to the humble [lowly, afflicted, meek]. word study 35 The wise [having spiritual discernment, prudent leaders] will inherit [take possession of, receive as a legacy] honor [glory, great splendor], but fools [stupid, silly, rejecting God] are held up to shame [dishonor, feelings of disgrace]. word study