Chapter 3

  My son, don't forget my teaching; But let your heart keep my commandments:  

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  For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to you.  

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  Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart.  

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  So you will find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man.  

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  Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, And don't lean on your own understanding.  

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  In all your ways acknowledge him, And he will direct your paths.  

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  Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil.  

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  It will be health to your body, And nourishment to your bones.  

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  Honor Yahweh with your substance, With the first fruits of all your increase:  

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  So your barns will be filled with plenty, And your vats will overflow with new wine.  

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  My son, don't despise Yahweh's discipline, Neither be weary of his reproof:  

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  For whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; Even as a father the son in whom he delights.  

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  Happy is the man who finds wisdom, The man who gets understanding.  

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  For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, The profit of it better than fine gold.  

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  She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her.  

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  Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor.  

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  Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.  

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  She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her.  

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  By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens.  

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  By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew.  

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  My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion:  

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  So they will be life to your soul, And grace for your neck.  

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  Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble.  

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  When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet.  

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  Don't be afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes:  

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  For Yahweh will be your confidence, And will keep your foot from being taken.  

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  Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in the power of your hand to do it.  

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  Don't say to your neighbor, 'Go, and come again, Tomorrow I will give,' When you have it by you.  

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  Don't devise evil against your neighbor, Seeing he dwells securely by you.  

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  Don't strive with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.  

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  Don't envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways.  

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  For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, But his friendship is with the upright.  

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  The curse of Yahweh is in the house of the wicked, But he blesses the habitation of the righteous.  

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  Surely he mocks the mockers, But he gives grace to the humble.  

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  The wise will inherit glory, But shame will be the promotion of fools.  

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