³ Do not let mercy and truth leave you.
    Fasten them around your neck.
    Write them on the tablet of your heart.
⁴ Then you will find favor and much success
    in the sight of Elohim and humanity.

⁵ Trust Yahweh with all your heart,
    and do not rely on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make your paths smooth.^[a]
7 Do not consider yourself wise.
    Fear Yahweh, and turn away from evil.
⁸ Then your body will be healed,
    and your bones will have nourishment.

⁹ Honor Yahweh with your wealth
    and with the first and best part of all your income.^[b]
10 Then your barns will be full,
    and your vats will overflow with fresh wine.

¹¹ Do not reject the discipline of Yahweh, my son,
    and do not resent his warning,
¹² because Yahweh warns the one he loves,
    even as a father warns a son with whom he is pleased.

¹³ Blessed is the one who finds wisdom
    and the one who obtains understanding.
¹⁴ The profit gained from wisdom is greater than
    the profit gained from silver.
        Its yield is better than fine gold.
¹⁵ Wisdom is more precious than jewels,
    and all your desires cannot equal it.
¹⁶ Long life is in wisdom’s right hand.
    In wisdom’s left hand are riches and honor.
¹⁷ Wisdom’s ways are pleasant ways,
    and all its paths lead to peace.
¹⁸ Wisdom is a tree of life
    for those who take firm hold of it.
        Those who cling to it are blessed.

¹⁹ By Wisdom Yahweh laid the foundation of the earth.
    By understanding he established the heavens.
²⁰ By his knowledge the deep waters were divided,
    and the skies dropped dew.

²¹ My son,
    do not lose sight of these things.
    Use priceless wisdom and foresight.
²² Then they will mean life for you,
    and they will grace your neck.
²³ Then you will go safely on your way,
    and you will not hurt your foot.
²⁴ When you lie down, you will not be afraid.
    As you lie there, your sleep will be sweet.

²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden terror
    or of the destruction of wicked people when it comes.
²⁶ Yahweh will be your confidence.
    He will keep your foot from getting caught.

²⁷ Do not hold back anything good
    from those who are entitled to it
        when you have the power to do so.
²⁸ When you have the good thing with you, do not tell your neighbor,
    “Go away!
        Come back tomorrow.
        I’ll give you something then.”

²⁹ Do not plan to do something wrong to your neighbor
    while he is sitting there with you and suspecting nothing.
³⁰ Do not quarrel with a person for no reason
    if he has not harmed you.
³¹ Do not envy a violent person.
    Do not choose any of his ways.
³² The devious person is disgusting to Yahweh.
    Yahweh’s intimate advice is with decent people.

³³ Yahweh curses the house of wicked people,
    but he blesses the home of righteous people.
³⁴ When he mocks the mockers,
    he is gracious to humble people.
³⁵ Wise people will inherit honor,
    but fools will bear disgrace.