Proverbs 3:1-20

Trust the Lord

1 My son, don't forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands;

2 for they will bring you many days, a full life,^[a] and well-being.^[b]

3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.^[c]

4 Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.^[d]

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding;

6 think about Him in all your ways, and He will guide you on the right paths.^[e]

7 Don't consider yourself to be wise;^[f] fear the Lord and turn away from evil.^[g]

8 This will be healing for your body^[h] and strengthening for your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest;^[i]

10 then your barns will be completely filled, and your vats will overflow with new wine.^[j]

11 Do not despise the Lord's instruction, my son, and do not loathe His discipline;^[k]

12 for the Lord disciplines the one He loves, just as a father, the son he delights in.^[l]

Wisdom Brings Happiness

13 Happy is a man who finds wisdom and who acquires understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her revenue is better than gold.^[m]

15 She is more precious than jewels; nothing you desire compares with her.^[n]

16 Long life^[o] is in her right hand; in her left, riches and honor.^[p]

17 Her ways are pleasant, and all her paths, peaceful.

18 She is a tree of life to those who embrace her, and those who hold on to her are happy.

19 The Lord founded the earth by wisdom and established the heavens by understanding.

20 By His knowledge the watery depths broke open,^[q] and the clouds dripped with dew.

Proverbs 3:1-20 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 3

In this chapter, Wisdom, or Christ, delivers out some fresh lessons and instructions to his children; as not to forget his doctrine, but heartily attend to his precepts and ordinances, seeing these are the means of lengthening out their days, and of enjoying peace, Pr 3:1,2; as well as had the promise of the mercy and truth of God, and the continuance of them, annexed to them; and therefore are exhorted to keep close to them, and show the greatest value and affection for them, which was the way to find favour with, and to be taken notice of by, God and man, Pr 3:3,4; and then he proceeds to exhort them to a hearty trust in the Lord, without dependence on themselves; and to seek direction from him in every step they took, which they might expect to have, Pr 3:5,6; to humility and the fear of God, and fleeing from evil, which they would find would much contribute to their health, Pr 3:7,8; to liberality in supporting the worship of God, and the interest of religion, which would turn to account and profit to them, Pr 3:9,10; to patience in bearing the chastisement of the Lord, as coming from a loving father, Pr 3:11,12; then follows a commendation of wisdom, and the happiness of the man possessed of it is declared, Pr 3:13; from the profit, preciousness, pleasure, and usefulness of it, Pr 3:14-18; and from its concern in the works of creation and providence, Pr 3:19,20; and from that comfort, honour, safety, and security, which come by the doctrines and instructions of Wisdom, and a steady regard to them, Pr 3:21-26; and the chapter is concluded with exhortations to beneficence, charity, concord, and peace with neighbours, Pr 3:27-30; and to shun the ways of wicked men, urged from the different state and condition of wicked men and fools, and of the just, the lowly, and wise, Pr 3:31-35.

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit days, years of life
• [b]. Pr 4:1-4; 6:20-23; 7:1-3
• [c]. Pr 6:21; 7:3
• [d]. Dt 4:6; Lk 2:52
• [e]. Pr 11:5
• [f]. Pr 26:5,12; 28:11,26
• [g]. Pr 16:6; Jb 1:1; Ps 37:27
• [h]. Lit navel
• [i]. Lv 23:9-14
• [j]. Mal 3:10
• [k]. Pr 5:11-13; 15:5,31-33
• [l]. Pr 13:24; Jb 5:17-18; Heb 12:5-7
• [m]. Pr 8:10,19; 16:16; 22:1
• [n]. Pr 8:11; 20:15
• [o]. Lit Length of days
• [p]. Pr 8:18; 21:21; 22:4
• [q]. Gn 7:11