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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Proverbs 3 NIV</title><link rel="stylesheet" href="/chapnew2.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="../spec.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/print.css" type="text/css" media="Print" /></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="../cmenus/proverbs/3.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" 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href="../proverbs/2.htm" title="Proverbs 2">◄</a> Proverbs 3 <a href="../proverbs/4.htm" title="Proverbs 4">►</a></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top">New International Version</td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/p/niv/esv/proverbs/3.shtml" style="color:#001320" title="Parallel Chapters"> Par ▾ </a></tr></table></div><div class="chap"><p class="sectionhead">Wisdom Bestows Well-Being</p><div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-1.htm"><b>1</b></a></span>My son, do not forget my teaching,</p><p class="line2">but keep my commands in your heart,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-2.htm"><b>2</b></a></span>for they will prolong your life many years</p><p class="line2">and bring you peace and prosperity.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-3.htm"><b>3</b></a></span>Let love and faithfulness never leave you;</p><p class="line2">bind them around your neck,</p><p class="line2">write them on the tablet of your heart.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-4.htm"><b>4</b></a></span>Then you will win favor and a good name</p><p class="line2">in the sight of God and man.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-5.htm"><b>5</b></a></span>Trust in the <span class="name">Lord</span> with all your heart</p><p class="line2">and lean not on your own understanding;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-6.htm"><b>6</b></a></span>in all your ways submit to him,</p><p class="line2">and he will make your paths straight. <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Or will direct your paths">a</a></sup></span> </p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-7.htm"><b>7</b></a></span>Do not be wise in your own eyes;</p><p class="line2">fear the <span class="name">Lord</span> and shun evil.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-8.htm"><b>8</b></a></span>This will bring health to your body</p><p class="line2">and nourishment to your bones.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-9.htm"><b>9</b></a></span>Honor the <span class="name">Lord</span> with your wealth,</p><p class="line2">with the firstfruits of all your crops;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-10.htm"><b>10</b></a></span>then your barns will be filled to overflowing,</p><p class="line2">and your vats will brim over with new wine.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-11.htm"><b>11</b></a></span>My son, do not despise the <span class="name">Lord</span>’s discipline,</p><p class="line2">and do not resent his rebuke,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-12.htm"><b>12</b></a></span>because the <span class="name">Lord</span> disciplines those he loves,</p><p class="line2">as a father the son he delights in. <span class="nivfootnote"><sup><a href="#footnotes" title="Hebrew; Septuagint loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child">b</a></sup></span> </p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-13.htm"><b>13</b></a></span>Blessed are those who find wisdom,</p><p class="line2">those who gain understanding,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-14.htm"><b>14</b></a></span>for she is more profitable than silver</p><p class="line2">and yields better returns than gold.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-15.htm"><b>15</b></a></span>She is more precious than rubies;</p><p class="line2">nothing you desire can compare with her.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-16.htm"><b>16</b></a></span>Long life is in her right hand;</p><p class="line2">in her left hand are riches and honor.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-17.htm"><b>17</b></a></span>Her ways are pleasant ways,</p><p class="line2">and all her paths are peace.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-18.htm"><b>18</b></a></span>She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her;</p><p class="line2">those who hold her fast will be blessed.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-19.htm"><b>19</b></a></span>By wisdom the <span class="name">Lord</span> laid the earth’s foundations,</p><p class="line2">by understanding he set the heavens in place;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-20.htm"><b>20</b></a></span>by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,</p><p class="line2">and the clouds let drop the dew.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-21.htm"><b>21</b></a></span>My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,</p><p class="line2">preserve sound judgment and discretion;</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-22.htm"><b>22</b></a></span>they will be life for you,</p><p class="line2">an ornament to grace your neck.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-23.htm"><b>23</b></a></span>Then you will go on your way in safety,</p><p class="line2">and your foot will not stumble.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-24.htm"><b>24</b></a></span>When you lie down, you will not be afraid;</p><p class="line2">when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-25.htm"><b>25</b></a></span>Have no fear of sudden disaster</p><p class="line2">or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-26.htm"><b>26</b></a></span>for the <span class="name">Lord</span> will be at your side</p><p class="line2">and will keep your foot from being snared.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-27.htm"><b>27</b></a></span>Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,</p><p class="line2">when it is in your power to act.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-28.htm"><b>28</b></a></span>Do not say to your neighbor,</p><p class="line2">“Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—</p><p class="line2">when you already have it with you.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-29.htm"><b>29</b></a></span>Do not plot harm against your neighbor,</p><p class="line2">who lives trustfully near you.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-30.htm"><b>30</b></a></span>Do not accuse anyone for no reason—</p><p class="line2">when they have done you no harm.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-31.htm"><b>31</b></a></span>Do not envy the violent</p><p class="line2">or choose any of their ways.</p></div> <div class="stanza"><p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-32.htm"><b>32</b></a></span>For the <span class="name">Lord</span> detests the perverse</p><p class="line2">but takes the upright into his confidence.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-33.htm"><b>33</b></a></span>The <span class="name">Lord</span>’s curse is on the house of the wicked,</p><p class="line2">but he blesses the home of the righteous.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-34.htm"><b>34</b></a></span>He mocks proud mockers</p><p class="line2">but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.</p> <p class="line1"><span class="reftext"><a href="http://biblehub.com/proverbs/3-35.htm"><b>35</b></a></span>The wise inherit honor,</p><p class="line2">but fools get only shame.</p></div><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"><span class="mainfootnotes"><A name="footnotes"></a><span class="mainfootnoteshdg">Footnotes:</span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">a</span> <span class="fnverse">6</span> <span class="footnotebot">Or <i>will direct your paths</i></span><br><span class="nivfootnotesbot">b</span> <span class="fnverse">12</span> <span class="footnotebot">Hebrew; Septuagint <i>loves, / and he chastens everyone he accepts as his child</i></span><br><hr size="1" color="DDEEFF"></div></div><div id="botbox"><div class="padbot"><div align="center"><p class="ntext"><a href="http://niv.scripturetext.com/version.htm">New International Version</a> (NIV)</p><p class="ntext2">Holy Bible, New International Version&reg, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by <a href="http://biblica.com">Biblica, Inc.</a>® Used by permission. 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