| 3:1 | Good friend, don't forget all I've taught you; take to heart my commands. |
| 3:2 | They'll help you live a long, long time, a long life lived full and well. |
| 3:3 | Don't lose your grip on Love and Loyalty. Tie them around your neck; carve their initials on your heart. |
| 3:4 | Earn a reputation for living well in God's eyes and the eyes of the people. |
| 3:5 | Trust GOD from the bottom of your heart; don't try to figure out everything on your own. |
| 3:6 | Listen for GOD's voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; he's the one who will keep you on track. |
| 3:7 | Don't assume that you know it all. Run to GOD! Run from evil! |
| 3:8 | Your body will glow with health, your very bones will vibrate with life! |
| 3:9 | Honor GOD with everything you own; give him the first and the best. |
| 3:10 | Your barns will burst, your wine vats will brim over. |
| 3:11 | But don't, dear friend, resent GOD's discipline; don't sulk under his loving correction. |
| 3:12 | It's the child he loves that GOD corrects; a father's delight is behind all this. |
| 3:13 | You're blessed when you meet Lady Wisdom, when you make friends with Madame Insight. |
| 3:14 | She's worth far more than money in the bank; her friendship is better than a big salary. |
| 3:15 | Her value exceeds all the trappings of wealth; nothing you could wish for holds a candle to her. |
| 3:16 | With one hand she gives long life, with the other she confers recognition. |
| 3:17 | Her manner is beautiful, her life wonderfully complete. |
| 3:18 | She's the very Tree of Life to those who embrace her. Hold her tight--and be blessed! |
| 3:19 | With Lady Wisdom, GOD formed Earth; with Madame Insight, he raised Heaven. |
| 3:20 | They knew when to signal rivers and springs to the surface, and dew to descend from the night skies. |
| 3:21 | Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. |
| 3:22 | They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive. |
| 3:23 | You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip. |
| 3:24 | You'll take afternoon naps without a worry, you'll enjoy a good night's sleep. |
| 3:25 | No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, |
| 3:26 | Because GOD will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound. |
| 3:27 | Never walk away from someone who deserves help; your hand is [God's] hand for that person. |
| 3:28 | Don't tell your neighbor, "Maybe some other time," or, "Try me tomorrow," when the money's right there in your pocket. |
| 3:29 | Don't figure ways of taking advantage of your neighbor when he's sitting there trusting and unsuspecting. |
| 3:30 | Don't walk around with a chip on your shoulder, always spoiling for a fight. |
| 3:31 | Don't try to be like those who shoulder their way through life. Why be a bully? |
| 3:32 | "Why not?" you say. Because GOD can't stand twisted souls. It's the straightforward who get his respect. |
| 3:33 | GOD's curse blights the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. |
| 3:34 | He gives proud skeptics a cold shoulder, but if you're down on your luck, he's right there to help. |
| 3:35 | Wise living gets rewarded with honor; stupid living gets the booby prize. |
Proverbs 3 - The Message Bible
