Proverbs3
New Living Translation
1My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.
2If you do this, you will live many years, and your life will be satisfying.
3Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! Tie them around your neck as a reminder. Write them deep within your heart.
4Then you will find favor with both God and people, and you will earn a good reputation.
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.
6Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.
7Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil.
8Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones.
9Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the best part of everything you produce.
10Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine.
11My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you.
12For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
13Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding.
14For wisdom is more profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold.
15Wisdom is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.
16She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and honor in her left.
17She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying.
18Wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly.
19By wisdom the Lord founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens.
20By his knowledge the deep fountains of the earth burst forth, and the dew settles beneath the night sky.
21My child, don’t lose sight of common sense and discernment. Hang on to them,
22for they will refresh your soul. They are like jewels on a necklace.
23They keep you safe on your way, and your feet will not stumble.
24You can go to bed without fear; you will lie down and sleep soundly.
25You need not be afraid of sudden disaster or the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
26for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.
27Do not withhold good from those who deserve it when it’s in your power to help them.
28If you can help your neighbor now, don’t say, “Come back tomorrow, and then I’ll help you.”
29Don’t plot harm against your neighbor, for those who live nearby trust you.
30Don’t pick a fight without reason, when no one has done you harm.
31Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways.
32Such wicked people are detestable to the Lord, but he offers his friendship to the godly.
33The Lord curses the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the upright.
34The Lord mocks the mockers but is gracious to the humble.
35The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame!
Study Guide
Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Proverbs 3.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: Exhortations to obedience and faith. (1–6). To piety, and to improve afflictions. (7–12). To gain wisdom. (13–20). Guidance of Wisdom. (21–26). The wicked and the upright. (27–35).
vv1-6
In the way of believing obedience to God's commandments health and peace may commonly be enjoyed; and though our days may not be long upon earth, we shall live for ever in heaven. Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; God's mercy in promising, and his truth in performing: live up to them, keep up thine interest in them, and take the comfort of them. We must trust in the Lord with all our hearts, believing he is able and wise to do what is best. Those who know themselves, find their own understandings a broken reed, which, if they lean upon, will fail. Do not design any thing but what is lawful, and beg God to direct thee in every case, though it may seem quite plain. In all our ways that prove pleasant, in which we gain our point, we must acknowledge God with thankfulness. In all our ways that prove uncomfortable, and that are hedged up with thorns, we must acknowledge him with submission. It is promised, He shall direct thy paths; so that thy way shall be safe and good, and happy at last.
vv7-12
There is not a greater enemy to the fear of the Lord in the heart, than self-conceit of our own wisdom. The prudence and sobriety which religion teaches, tend not only to the health of the soul, but to the health of the body. Worldly wealth is but poor substance, yet, such as it is, we must honour God with it; and those that do good with what they have, shall have more to do more good with. Should the Lord visit us with trials and sickness, let us not forget that the exhortation speaks to us as to children, for our good. We must not faint under an affliction, be it ever so heavy and long, not be driven to despair, or use wrong means for relief. The father corrects the son whom he loves, because he loves him, and desires that he may be wise and good. Afflictions are so far from doing God's children any hurt, that, by the grace of God, they promote their holiness.
vv13-20
No precious jewels or earthly treasures are worthy to be compared with true wisdom, whether the concerns of time or eternity be considered. We must make wisdom our business; we must venture all in it, and be willing to part with all for it. This Wisdom is the Lord Jesus Christ and his salvation, sought and obtained by faith and prayer. Were it not for unbelief, remaining sinfulness, and carelessness, we should find all our ways pleasantness, and our paths peace, for his are so; but we too often step aside from them, to our own hurt and grief. Christ is that Wisdom, by whom the worlds were made, and still are in being; happy are those to whom he is made of God wisdom. He has wherewithal to make good all his promises.
Key Words
בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)
אַל: not (the qualified negation, used as a deprecative); once (Job 24:25) as a noun, nothing
שָׁכַח: to mislay, i.e. to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
תּוֹרָה: a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch
לֵב: the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything
נָצַר: to guard, in a good sense (to protect, maintain, obey, etc.) or a bad one (to conceal, etc.)
מִצְוָה: a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law)
כִּי: (by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אֹרֶךְ: length
יוֹם: a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb)
Cross References
Proverbs 3Directly quotes and explains Solomon's exhortation not to despise the Lord's chastening.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Quoted verbatim to prove God disciplines the sons He loves and delights in.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Explicitly quotes the LXX translation: God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Quotes this proverb directly to instruct believers to clothe themselves with humility.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Paul echoes the caution 'be not wise in your own conceits' from this verse.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Contrasts the law on stone tablets with being written on the table of the heart.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Matches the promise of filled barns/overflowing blessings for giving God his due.
Supported by JFB
Wisdom is allegorized as the 'tree of life,' referencing Eden's life-giving tree.
Supported by JFB
Godliness holds promise for the present life (peace/days) and the life to come.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Pentateuch parallel comparing divine discipline to a father chastening his son.
Supported by Matthew Henry
Expands on Wisdom's role in establishing the heavens and earth at creation.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB
Parallels 'his secret is with the righteous' with 'the secret of the Lord is with them that fear him.'
Supported by JFB
A direct call to trust in the Lord and do good, dwelling safely.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Parallels the promise of sweet, peaceful sleep under the safe protection of God.
Supported by JFB
New Testament command to render to all their dues, echoing withholding not good.
Supported by Matthew Henry, JFB