1My son,do not forget my instruction, my commands; keep them in your heart. 2For they will bring you length of days, years of life and peace.
3Let loyalty and kindness never leave you; tie them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart, 4that you may find favor and a good name in the eyes of God and people.
Put wisdom into practice
5 ① Trust in Yahweh with all your heart; do not rely on your own insight. 6Let his presence pervade all your ways and he will protect your foot from the snare.
7Do not consider yourself wise, fear God, and turn away from evil. 8This will be a medicine to your body and a relief to your bones.
9Honor Yahweh, giving him from what you have, the first fruits of all your produce. 10Then your barns will be filled to overflowing, your vats will brim over with wine.
11My son, do not scorn the discipline of Yahweh; do not ignore his correction. 12For Yahweh corrects those he loves, as a father does his beloved son.
13Happy the one who finds wisdom and gains insight. 14For she is of more value than silver and more useful than gold. 15She is more precious than pearls; nothing you could wish for would compare with her. 16With her right hand she offers you length of days, with her left, riches and glory. 17She leads you through delightful ways; all her roads are peace.
18She is a tree of life for those who clasp her; those who possess her are happy.
19It is by his wisdom that Yahweh founded the earth; by his understanding that he made firm the heavens. 20By his knowledge the depths were scooped out, and the clouds rained down dew.
21My son, hold on to sound judgment and discretion and do not let them out of your sight. 22They will give life to your inner self, and adorn your neck.
23Then you can go your way safely and your foot will not stumble. 24You will have no fear when you lie down and your sleep will be peaceful. 25You will not fear sudden terror or the attack of evildoers. 26For Yahweh is at your side and he guards your steps from the snare.
27Do not hold back from those who ask your help, when it is in your power to do it. 28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go away! Come another time; tomorrow I will give it to you!” when you can help him now.
29Do not plot evil against your neighbor who lives trustingly beside you, 30nor fight a man without cause when he has done you no wrong. 31Do not envy the man of violence or follow his example.
32For Yahweh hates the wicked but guides the honest. 33He curses the house of the evildoer but blesses the home of the upright. 34If there are mockers, he mocks them in turn but he shows his favor to the humble. 35The wise will possess his glory while the foolish will inherit disgrace.
- Pro 3,5 The first paragraph deals with the attitudes leading to wisdom: humility, being willing to sacrifice what God wants, not becoming discouraged when the Lord corrects us, that is to say, when we are tested (see Heb 12:5 and Rev 3:19). The proverbs insist on the value of advice, discipline, correction: to live as one pleases, according to one's fantasies causes all sorts of misfortune: this is a saying of Proverbs (see 5:12). Then the years of your life will be multiplied (4:10). The teachings of wisdom assure you of life and well-being. It is even healthy for the body (3:8 and 4:22).
