Chapter Three

Do not forget my teachings, my son, but keep in mind my commandments, for they will prolong your life and add to your peace of mind.  Let not kindness or truth desert you.  Tie them round your neck; inscribe them in your heart.  Then you will find favor and sympathy with God and with man.  Trust Jehovah with all your heart and do not rely upon your own understanding.  Defer to him in all things and he will smooth the way for you.  Do not regard yourself as wise, but revere Jehovah and shun evil.  This will be healthful for your body, nourishing to your bones.  Honor Jehovah with your wealth and tender to him the first fruits of all your harvests: then your barns will be filled to overflowing and your vats will be brim with new wine.

My son, do not reject the discipline of Jehovah or be offended by his rebukes, because Jehovah corrects those that he loves, just as a father corrects the son who pleases him.  Happy is the person who finds wisdom and gains understanding.  Wisdom, she is a property more valuable than silver; she yields more profit than gold.   She is more precious than rubies.  Nothing that you might desire can compare with her.  In her right hand is long life, in her left, wealth and honor.  Her way is one of sweetness, her path, one of peace.  She is a tree of life to those who embrace her.  and those who cling to her will be made happy.  It is by wisdom that Jehovah laid the foundations of the earth; by understanding he established the heavens.  Through his knowledge were the waters divided and the clouds dropped down dew.

My son, do not loose sight of common sense and discretion; they are life for your body, an ornament round your neck.  With them you will go your way with safety and your foot will not stumble.  When you will lie down, you will have no fear and when you go to bed, your sleep will be sound.  Do not be afraid of a sudden disaster, for when ruin comes to the wicked, Jehovah will be at your side and keep your foot from being caught.

Do not withhold money from those to whom it is due, when it is within your power to pay.  Do not tell your neighbor, “Come back tomorrow and I will give it to you then,” when you already have the money with you.

Do not plot to harm the neighbor who lives peaceably next to you.  Don’t pick a fight with a man without cause, if he has done you no ill.  Do not envy the man of violence or copy his behavior.  Such crooked people are an abomination to Jehovah, while he shares his secret counsel with the upright. Jehovah’s curse is upon the house of the wicked, while his blessing is upon the dwelling of the righteous.  To the arrogant scorner he is scornful, but to the humble he shows his favor.  The wise will inherit honor, but shame is the recompense of fools.