Proverbs 3
To live a long and peaceful life, one must follow God's laws and precepts, and have mercy and truth as guiding principles. Trusting in the Lord and fearing God will lead to wisdom and good discipline, and honoring Him with one's substance will bring abundance. Wisdom is more valuable than riches and is the key to a life of peace and prosperity. Those who follow wisdom will be blessed, and the Lord will be at their side to protect them.
My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart guard my preceptsFor they shall set before you length of days, and years of life, and peaceLet not mercy and truth abandon you: encircle them around your throat, and inscribe them on the tablets of your heartAnd so shall you discover grace and good discipline, in the sight of God and menHave confidence in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend upon your own prudenceIn all your ways, consider him, and he himself will direct your stepsDo not seem wise to yourself. Fear God, and withdraw from evilCertainly, it shall be health to your navel, and refreshment to your bonesHonor the Lord with your substance, and give to him from the first of all your fruitsand then your storehouses will be filled with abundance, and your presses shall overflow with wineMy son, do not discard the discipline of the Lord, and do not fall away when you are corrected by himFor whomever the Lord loves, he corrects, and just as a father does with a son, he wins him overBlessed is the man who finds wisdom and who advances to prudenceHer acquisition is better than trading in silver, and her fruit is better than the first and purest goldShe is more precious than all riches, and all that can be desired cannot prevail in comparison to herLength of days is at her right hand, and at her left hand is wealth and gloryHer ways are beautiful ways, and all her paths are peacefulShe is a tree of life to those who overtake her, and he who shall take hold of her is blessedThe Lord founded the earth on wisdom. He secured the heavens with prudenceBy his wisdom, the abyss erupted and the clouds increased with dewMy son, let not these things move away from your eyes. Preserve law as well as counselAnd so shall there be life in your soul and grace in your voiceThen you shall walk confidently in your way, and your feet will not stumbleWhen you slumber, you shall not fear. When you rest, your sleep also will be sweetDo not fear unexpected terror, nor the power of the impious falling upon youFor the Lord will be at your side, and he will guard your feet, so that you may not be seizedDo not prevent him who is able from doing good. When you are able, do good yourself tooDo not say to your friend: "Go away, and then return. Tomorrow I will give to you." When you are able to do so, give in the presentDo not undertake evil against your friend, even though he has trust in youDo not contend against a man without cause, even though he has done no evil to youDo not rival an unjust man, and do not imitate his waysFor everyone who ridicules is an abomination to the Lord, and his communication is for the simpleDestitution in the house of the impious is from the Lord. But the habitations of the just shall be blessedHe will ridicule those who ridicule, but he will bestow grace upon the mildThe wise will possess glory. The exaltation of the foolish is disgraceful
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