Proverbs 3
1
My son, do not forget my law,
a But let your heart keep my commands;
2
For length of days and long life
And b peace they will add to you.
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Let not mercy and truth forsake you;
c Bind them around your neck,
d Write them on the tablet of your heart,
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e And so find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
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f Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
g And lean not on your own understanding;
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h In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
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Do not be wise in your own i eyes;
Fear the LORD and depart from evil.
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It will be health to your flesh,
And j strength to your bones.
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k Honor the LORD with your possessions,
And with the firstfruits of all your increase;
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l So your barns will be filled with plenty,
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
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m My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor detest His correction;
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For whom the LORD loves He corrects,
n Just as a father the son in whom he delights.
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o Happy is the man who finds wisdom,
And the man who gains understanding;
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p For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver,
And her gain than fine gold.
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She is more precious than rubies,
And q all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
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r Length of days is in her right hand,
In her left hand riches and honor.
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s Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
And all her paths are peace.
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She is t a tree of life to those who take hold of her,
And happy are all who retain her.
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u The LORD by wisdom founded the earth;
By understanding He established the heavens;
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By His knowledge the depths were v broken up,
And clouds 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 to your neck.
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w Then you will walk safely in your way,
And your foot will not 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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x Do not be afraid of sudden terror,
Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;
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For the LORD will be your confidence,
And will keep your foot from being caught.
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y Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
When it is in the power of your hand to do so.
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z Do not say to your neighbor,
"Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,"
When you have it with you.
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Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
For he dwells by you for safety's sake.
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a Do not strive with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
31
b Do not envy the oppressor,
And choose none of his ways;
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For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD,
c But His secret counsel is with the upright.
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d The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked,
But e He blesses the home of the just.
34
f Surely He scorns the scornful,
But gives grace to the humble.
35
The wise shall inherit glory,
But shame shall be the legacy of fools.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 8:1
Every commandment which I command you today you must be careful to observe, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land of which the LORD swore to your fathers.
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Cross References
Psalms 119:165
Great peace have those who love Your law, And nothing causes them to stumble.
Proverbs 4:10
Hear, my son, and receive my sayings, And the years of your life will be many.
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Cross References
Exodus 13:9
It shall be as a sign to you on your hand and as a memorial between your eyes, that the LORD's law may be in your mouth; for with a strong hand the LORD has brought you out of Egypt.
Deuteronomy 6:8
You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes.
Proverbs 6:21
Bind them continually upon your heart; Tie them around your neck.
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Cross References
Proverbs 7:3
Bind them on your fingers; Write them on the tablet of your heart.
Jeremiah 17:1
The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; With the point of a diamond it is engraved On the tablet of their heart, And on the horns of your altars.
2 Corinthians 3:3
Clearly you are an epistle of Christ, ministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
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Cross References
1 Samuel 2:26
And the child Samuel grew in stature, and in favor both with the LORD and men.
Luke 2:52
And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Romans 14:18
For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men.
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Cross References
Psalms 37:3
Trust in the LORD, and do good; Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.
Psalms 37:5
Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, And He shall bring it to pass.
Proverbs 22:19
So that your trust may be in the LORD; I have instructed you today, even you.
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Cross References
Proverbs 23:4
Do not overwork to be rich; Because of your own understanding, cease!
Jeremiah 9:23
Thus says the LORD: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, Let not the mighty man glory in his might, Nor let the rich man glory in his riches.
Jeremiah 9:24
But let him who glories glory in this, That he understands and knows Me, That I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the LORD.
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Cross References
1 Chronicles 28:9
As for you, my son Solomon, know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the LORD searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will cast you off forever.
Proverbs 16:3
Commit your works to the LORD, And your thoughts will be established.
Philippians 4:6
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.
James 1:5
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
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Cross References
Romans 12:16
Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
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Cross References
Job 21:24
His pails are full of milk, And the marrow of his bones is moist.
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Cross References
Exodus 22:29
You shall not delay to offer the first of your ripe produce and your juices. The firstborn of your sons you shall give to Me.
Deuteronomy 26:2
That you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground, which you shall bring from your land that the LORD your God is giving you, and put it in a basket and go to the place where the LORD your God chooses to make His name abide.
Malachi 3:10
Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, That there may be food in My house, And try Me now in this," Says the LORD of hosts, "If I will not open for you the windows of heaven And pour out for you such blessing That there will not be room enough to receive it.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:8
The LORD will command the blessing on you in your storehouses and in all to which you set your hand, and He will bless you in the land which the LORD your God is giving you.
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Cross References
Job 5:17
Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
Psalms 94:12
Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O LORD, And teach out of Your law.
Hebrews 12:5
And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him.
Hebrews 12:6
For whom the LORD loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives.
Revelation 3:19
As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent.
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Cross References
Deuteronomy 8:5
You should know in your heart that as a man chastens his son, so the LORD your God chastens you.
Proverbs 13:24
He who spares his rod hates his son, But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
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Cross References
Proverbs 8:32
Now therefore, listen to me, my children, For blessed are those who keep my ways.
Proverbs 8:34
Blessed is the man who listens to me, Watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.
Proverbs 8:35
For whoever finds me finds life, And obtains favor from the LORD.
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Cross References
Job 28:13
Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living.
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Cross References
Matthew 13:44
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
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Cross References
Proverbs 8:18
Riches and honor are with me, Enduring riches and righteousness.
1 Timothy 4:8
For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
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Cross References
Matthew 11:29
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
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Cross References
Genesis 2:9
And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
Proverbs 11:30
The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, And he who wins souls is wise.
Proverbs 13:12
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when the desire comes, it is a tree of life.
Proverbs 15:4
A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, But perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
Revelation 2:7
"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God."'
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Cross References
Psalms 104:24
O LORD, how manifold are Your works! In wisdom You have made them all. The earth is full of Your possessions -
Proverbs 8:27
When He prepared the heavens, I was there, When He drew a circle on the face of the deep.
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Cross References
Genesis 7:11
In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.
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Cross References
Psalms 37:24
Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; For the LORD upholds him with His hand.
Psalms 91:11
For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways.
Psalms 91:12
In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.
Proverbs 10:9
He who walks with integrity walks securely, But he who perverts his ways will become known.
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Cross References
Psalms 91:5
You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day.
1 Peter 3:14
But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. "And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.
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Cross References
Romans 13:7
Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.
Galatians 6:10
Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all, especially to those who are of the household of faith.
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Cross References
Leviticus 19:13
You shall not cheat your neighbor, nor rob him. The wages of him who is hired shall not remain with you all night until morning.
Deuteronomy 24:15
Each day you shall give him his wages, and not let the sun go down on it, for he is poor and has set his heart on it; lest he cry out against you to the LORD, and it be sin to you.
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Cross References
Proverbs 26:17
He who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own Is like one who takes a dog by the ears.
Romans 12:18
If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.
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Cross References
Psalms 37:1
Do not fret because of evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of iniquity.
Proverbs 24:1
Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them.
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Cross References
Psalms 25:14
The secret of the LORD is with those who fear Him, And He will show them His covenant.
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Cross References
Leviticus 26:14
But if you do not obey Me, and do not observe a...
Leviticus 26:16
I also will do this to you: I will even appoint...
Deuteronomy 11:28
And the curse, if you do not obey the commandme...
Zechariah 5:3
Then he said to me, "This is the curse that goe...
Zechariah 5:4
"I will send out the curse, " says the LORD of ...
Malachi 2:2
If you will not hear, And if you will not take ...
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Cross References
Job 8:6
If you were pure and upright, Surely now He would awake for you, And prosper your rightful dwelling place.
Psalms 1:3
He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper.
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Cross References
James 4:6
But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.
1 Peter 5:5
Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble.
New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.