1 My son, do not let my teaching {torah: instructive guidance} slip away; let your heart {lev: center of will and thought} keep my commandments.
2 For they will lengthen your days {orekh: measure of span} and add years {shnot: life span} to your life, together with peace.
3 Kindness {chesed: covenant loyalty} and faithfulness must not leave you; bind them upon your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart {luach: inner self}.
4 Then you will obtain favor and good understanding in the eyes of God {Elohim, Discerner of Hearts} and people {adam: social community}
5 Place your trust in the LORD {YHWH, Reliable Guide} with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding {binah: discernment faculty}.
6 In all your ways, acknowledge Him {YHWH, Wise Guide}, and He will make your paths {orakh: life journey} straight.
7 Do not regard yourself as wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD {YHWH, Wisdom Source}, and turn away from evil {ra: moral badness}.
8 It will be healing to your navel {sharekha: body center} and refreshment to your bones {atzmotekha: physical structure}.
9 Give honor to the LORD {YHWH, Supreme Recipient} with your wealth and with the first of all your produce {tevuah: field yield}.
10 Then your barns will be filled to overflowing {sava: satisfying fullness}, and your vats will burst forth with new wine {tirosh: freshly pressed grape juice}.
11 My son, do not treat lightly the discipline {musar: correction, training} of the LORD {YHWH, Character Shaper}, and do not grow tired of His rebuke.
12 For the LORD {YHWH, Wise Instructor} reproves {yō-ḵî-ăḥ: corrective discipline} the one He loves, as a father does the son he delights in.
13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom {chokhmah: practical insight}, and the man who obtains understanding {tevunah: discerning judgment}.
14 For her profit {sakhrah: benefit from wisdom} is better than the profit of silver, and her yield {tevuatah: abundant return} surpasses the finest gold.
15 She is more precious than pearls {peninim: lustrous stones}, and all your desires {chephets: deepest longings} cannot equal her.
16 In her right hand is length of days; in her left hand are riches {osher: material wealth} and honor {kavod: elevated reputation}.
17 Her ways are pleasing {noam: satisfying grace}, and all her paths are peace {shalom: perfect well-being}.
18 She is a tree of life to those who hold fast {lamahazikim: those who cling} to her; those who support her are blessed {meushar: endowed with happiness}.
19 The LORD {YHWH, Creator-Architect} founded the earth through wisdom {chokhmah: divine skill}; by understanding He established the heavens.
20 By His {YHWH, Sovereign Creator} knowledge the depths {tehomot: vast abysses} were split apart, and the clouds drip dew.
21 My son, do not let them stray from your eyes; guard sound wisdom {tushiyah: practical insight} and discretion {mezimmah: thoughtful planning}.
22 And they will be life for your soul {nefesh: living being}, and grace {chen: unmerited favor} for your neck.
23 Then you will walk safely{lavetach: without fear} on your way{darkekha: personal conduct}, and your foot will not stumble.
24 When you recline, you will have no fear; and as you lie down, your sleep {shenatecha: nightly rest} will be pleasant {arevah: restful delight}.
25 Do not fear sudden terror {pachad: overwhelming dread}, nor the ruin {shoah: utter devastation} of the wicked when it comes.
26 For the LORD {YHWH, Faithful Protector} will be your confidence {kislecha: source of security}, and He will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not hold back good from its owners {baalav: rightful recipients} when it is within the power {el: sphere of ability} of your hand to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbor {re’a: companion}, “Go and return, and tomorrow I will give,” when you have it with you {ittakh: in your possession}.
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor {re'akha: the person near you}, while he dwells securely {lavetach: assured safety} with you.
30 Refrain from contending or quarreling with a man without cause {khinam: groundless}, if he has not inflicted injury upon you {raah: injury}.
31 Refrain from envying a man of violence {chamas: actor of injustice}, and refuse to follow any of his ways {derakhav: manner of living}.
32 For the perverse {nâlōz: morally twisted} is an abomination to the LORD {YHWH, Covenant Judge}, but His secret counsel is with the upright.
33 The curse of the LORD {YHWH, Righteous Judge} rests on the house of the wicked, but He will bless the habitation of the righteous {tsaddiqim: those living rightly}.
34 Indeed, He {YHWH, Just Judge} derides the scorners {la-latsim: arrogant mockers}, but He bestows favor upon the humble.
35 The wise will inherit{yinchalu: receiving allotment} honor, but fools will lift up shame{kalon: disgraceful contempt}.