Wisdom and Piety

¹ My child, do not forget my instruction, and may your heart guard my commands.

² For length of days, years of life, and peace they¹ shall add to you.

1. That is, “my commands” (3:1)

³ May loyal love¹ and truth not forsake you; bind them around your neck, write them upon your heart.

1. Or “kindness, mercy”

⁴ And you shall find favor and good sense¹ in the eyes of God and humankind.

1. Or “understanding, prudence”

⁵ ⌞Trust Yahweh⌟¹ with all your heart; do not lean toward your own understanding.

1. Literally “trust toward Yahweh”

⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will straighten your paths.

⁷ Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear Yahweh and retreat from evil.

⁸ There shall be healing for your ⌞flesh⌟,¹ and refreshment for your body.

1. Literally “navel”

⁹ Honor Yahweh from your substance,¹ and from the firstfruits of all that will come to you,

1. Or “wealth, property”

Happy Is the One Who Finds Wisdom

¹⁰ and your barns shall be full of plenty, and your vats shall burst with new wine.

¹¹ Do not despise the discipline of Yahweh, my child. Do not be weary of his reproof

¹² because whomever Yahweh will love, he will rebuke, as a father delights in his son.

¹³ Happy is ⌞the one⌟¹ who finds wisdom, and one who obtains understanding.

1. Literally “a man”

¹⁴ For her¹ income is better than the income of silver, and her revenue than that of gold.

1. Or “its”; both “wisdom” and “understanding” are feminine nouns and can be read as either “she” or “it”

¹⁵ She is more precious than rubies, and all your desires shall not compare with her.

¹⁶ Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

¹⁷ Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace.

Role of Wisdom in Creation and Society

¹⁸ She is a tree of life for those who seize her; those who take hold of her are considered happy.

¹⁹ Yahweh in wisdom founded the earth; he established the heavens in understanding.

²⁰ With his knowledge, depths broke open, and clouds dropped dew.

²¹ My child, may they¹ not escape from your ⌞sight⌟;² may you keep sound wisdom and prudence.

1. Grammatically, “they” most likely refers to clouds (3:20). In context, “they” may refer to wisdom and understanding (3:13).
2. Literally “eyes”

²² They shall be life for your soul¹ and adornment² for your neck.

1. Or “inner self”
2. Or “favor”

²³ Then you will walk in the confidence of your ways, and your foot will not stumble.

²⁴ If you sit down, you will not panic,¹ and if you lie down, then your sleep shall be sweet.

1. Or “fear, dread”

²⁵ Do not be afraid of sudden panic,¹ or the storm of wickedness that will come.

1. Or “fear, dread”

²⁶ Yahweh will be ⌞your confidence⌟¹ and guard your foot from capture.

1. Literally “in your confidence”

²⁷ Do not withhold good from its owner¹ when it is in the power of your hand to do.

1. Or “lord”

²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor, “Go and return and tomorrow I will give it,” ⌞when it is with you⌟.¹

1. Literally “and there is with you”

²⁹ Do not plot harm against your neighbor who dwells in confidence beside you.

³⁰ Do not quarrel with anyone without cause, when he did not do you harm.

³¹ Do not envy a man of violence, and do not choose any of his ways,

³² for he who is perverse is an abomination of Yahweh, but those who are upright are his confidence.

³³ The curse of Yahweh is on the house of the wicked, and the abode of the righteous ones he blesses.

³⁴ With those who scorn, he is scornful, but to those who are humble, he gives favor.

³⁵ They will inherit the honor of the wise, but stubborn fools, disgrace.