Proverbs

¹MY SON, forget not my law or teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments; ²For length of days and years of a life [worth living] and tranquility [inward and outward and continuing through old age till death], these shall they add to you. ³Let not mercy and kindness [shutting out all hatred and selfishness] and truth [shutting out all deliberate hypocrisy or falsehood] forsake you; bind them about your neck, write them upon the tablet of your heart. [Col. 3:9-12.] ⁴So shall you find favor, good understanding, and high esteem in the sight [or judgment] of God and man. [Luke 2:52.] ⁵Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight or understanding. ⁶In all your ways know, recognize, and acknowledge Him, and He will direct and make straight and plain your paths. ⁷Be not wise in your own eyes; reverently fear and worship the Lord and turn [entirely] away from evil. [Prov. 8:13.]