Daily Bread

¹¹ My son,^(A) do not despise the Lord’s discipline,^(B)
    and do not resent his rebuke,
¹² because the Lord disciplines those he loves,^(C)
    as a father the son he delights in.^[a](D)

¹³ Blessed are those who find wisdom,
    those who gain understanding,
¹⁴ for she is more profitable than silver
    and yields better returns than gold.^(E)
15 She is more precious than rubies;^(F)
    nothing you desire can compare with her.^(G)
16 Long life is in her right hand;^(H)
    in her left hand are riches and honor.^(I)
17 Her ways are pleasant ways,
    and all her paths are peace.^(J)
18 She is a tree of life^(K) to those who take hold of her;
    those who hold her fast will be blessed.^(L)

¹⁹ By wisdom^(M) the Lord laid the earth’s foundations,^(N)
    by understanding he set the heavens^(O) in place;
²⁰ by his knowledge the watery depths were divided,
    and the clouds let drop the dew.

²¹ My son,^(P) do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight,^(Q)
    preserve sound judgment and discretion;
²² they will be life for you,^(R)
    an ornament to grace your neck.^(S)
23 Then you will go on your way in safety,^(T)
    and your foot will not stumble.^(U)
24 When you lie down,^(V) you will not be afraid;^(W)
    when you lie down, your sleep^(X) will be sweet.
²⁵ Have no fear of sudden disaster
    or of the ruin that overtakes the wicked,
²⁶ for the Lord will be at your side^(Y)
    and will keep your foot^(Z) from being snared.^(AA)

²⁷ Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
    when it is in your power to act.
²⁸ Do not say to your neighbor,
    “Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you”—
    when you already have it with you.^(AB)
29 Do not plot harm against your neighbor,
    who lives trustfully near you.^(AC)
30 Do not accuse anyone for no reason—
    when they have done you no harm.

³¹ Do not envy^(AD) the violent
    or choose any of their ways.

³² For the Lord detests the perverse^(AE)
    but takes the upright into his confidence.^(AF)
33 The Lord’s curse^(AG) is on the house of the wicked,^(AH)
    but he blesses the home of the righteous.^(AI)
34 He mocks^(AJ) proud mockers^(AK)
    but shows favor to the humble^(AL) and oppressed.
³⁵ The wise inherit honor,
    but fools get only shame.