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Proverbs 3 :: New King James Version (NKJV)

Guidance for the Young
Guidance for the Young
Pro 3:1My son, do not forget my law,
But let your heart keep my commands;
Pro 3:2For length of days and long life
And peace they will add to you.
Pro 3:3Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
Bind them around your neck,
Write them on the tablet of your heart,
Pro 3:4And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
Pro 3:5Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
Pro 3:6In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct[fn] your paths.
Pro 3:7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
Pro 3:8It will be health to your flesh,[fn]
And strength[fn] to your bones.
Pro 3:9Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
Pro 3:10So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
Pro 3:11My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
Pro 3:12For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
Pro 3:13Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
Pro 3:14For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
Pro 3:15She is more precious than rubies,
And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Pro 3:16Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
Pro 3:17Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
Pro 3:18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
Pro 3:19The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
Pro 3:20By His knowledge the depths were broken up,
And clouds drop down the dew.
Pro 3:21My son, let them not depart from your eyes—
Keep sound wisdom and discretion;
Pro 3:22So they will be life to your soul
And grace to your neck.
Pro 3:23Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not stumble.
Pro 3:24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
Yes, you will lie down and your sleep will be sweet.
Pro 3:25Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
Pro 3:26For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
Pro 3:27Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
Pro 3:28Do not say to your neighbor,
“Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
Pro 3:29Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety’s sake.
Pro 3:30Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
Pro 3:31Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
Pro 3:32For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD,
But His secret counsel is with the upright.
Pro 3:33The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just.
Pro 3:34Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
Pro 3:35The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.
NKJV Footnotes
Or make smooth or straight
Literally navel, figurative of the body
Literally drink or refreshment
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Proverbs Chapter 3 — Additional Translations: