Read the Bible

¹ My child, do not forget my teaching,
    but keep my commands in mind.
² Then you will live a long time,
    and your life will be successful.

³ Don't ever forget kindness and truth.
    Wear them like a necklace.
    Write them on your heart as if on a tablet.
⁴ Then you will be respected
    and will please both God and people.

⁵ Trust the Lord with all your heart,
    and don't depend on your own understanding.
⁶ Remember the Lord in all you do,
    and he will give you success.

⁷ Don't depend on your own wisdom.
    Respect the Lord and refuse to do wrong.
⁸ Then your body will be healthy,
    and your bones will be strong.

⁹ Honor the Lord with your wealth
    and the firstfruits from all your crops.
¹⁰ Then your barns will be full,
    and your wine barrels will overflow with new wine.

¹¹ My child, do not reject the Lord's discipline,
    and don't get angry when he corrects you.
¹² The Lord corrects those he loves,
    just as parents correct the child they delight in.

¹³ Happy is the person who finds wisdom,
    the one who gets understanding.
¹⁴ Wisdom is worth more than silver;
    it brings more profit than gold.
¹⁵ Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
    nothing you could want is equal to it.
¹⁶ With her right hand wisdom offers you a long life,
    and with her left hand she gives you riches and honor.
¹⁷ Wisdom will make your life pleasant
    and will bring you peace.
¹⁸ As a tree produces fruit, wisdom gives life to those who use it,
    and everyone who uses it will be happy.

¹⁹ The Lord made the earth, using his wisdom.
    He set the sky in place, using his understanding.
²⁰ With his knowledge, he made springs flow into rivers
    and the clouds drop rain on the earth.

²¹ My child, hold on to wisdom and good sense.
    Don't let them out of your sight.
²² They will give you life
    and beauty like a necklace around your neck.
²³ Then you will go your way in safety,
    and you will not get hurt.
²⁴ When you lie down, you won't be afraid;
    when you lie down, you will sleep in peace.
²⁵ You won't be afraid of sudden trouble;
    you won't fear the ruin that comes to the wicked,
²⁶ because the Lord will keep you safe.
    He will keep you from being trapped.

²⁷ Whenever you are able,
    do good to people who need help.
²⁸ If you have what your neighbor asks for,
    don't say, "Come back later.
    I will give it to you tomorrow."
²⁹ Don't make plans to hurt your neighbor
    who lives nearby and trusts you.
³⁰ Don't accuse a person for no good reason;
    don't accuse someone who has not harmed you.

³¹ Don't be jealous of those who use violence,
    and don't choose to be like them.
³² The Lord hates those who do wrong,
    but he is a friend to those who are honest.
³³ The Lord will curse the evil person's house,
    but he will bless the home of those who do right.
³⁴ The Lord laughs at those who laugh at him,
    but he gives grace to those who are not proud.
³⁵ Wise people will receive honor,
    but fools will be disgraced.