Proverbs 3:1-12

The Rewards of Wisdom

1 My son, ¹do not forget my teaching, But let your heart ²keep my commandments;

2 For ³length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you.

3 Do not let ⁴kindness and truth leave you; ⁵Bind them around your neck, ⁶Write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 So you will ⁷find favor and ⁸good repute In the sight of God and man.

5 ⁹Trust in the LORD with all your heart And ¹⁰do not lean on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways ¹¹acknowledge Him, And He will ¹²make your paths straight.

7 ¹³Do not be wise in your own eyes; ¹⁴Fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

8 It will be ¹⁵healing to your body And ¹⁶refreshment to your bones.

9 ¹⁷Honor the LORD from your wealth And from the ¹⁸first of all your produce;

10 So your ¹⁹barns will be filled with plenty And your ²⁰vats will overflow with new wine.

11 ²¹My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD Or loathe His reproof,

12 For ²²whom the LORD loves He reproves, Even ²³as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.

Proverbs 3:1-12 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.

Cross References

• 1. Psalms 119:61; Proverbs 4:5
• 2. Exodus 20:6; Deuteronomy 30:16
• 3. Psalms 91:16; Proverbs 3:16; Proverbs 4:10; Proverbs 9:11; Proverbs 10:27
• 4. 2 Samuel 15:20; Proverbs 14:22
• 5. Deuteronomy 6:8; Deuteronomy 11:18; Proverbs 1:9; Proverbs 6:21
• 6. Proverbs 7:3; Jeremiah 17:1; 2 Corinthians 3:3
• 7. 1 Samuel 2:26; Proverbs 8:35; Luke 2:52
• 8. Psalms 111:10
• 9. Psalms 37:3, 5; Proverbs 22:19
• 10. Proverbs 23:4; Jeremiah 9:23
• 11. 1 Chronicles 28:9; Proverbs 16:3; Philippians 4:6; James 1:5
• 12. Isaiah 45:13; Jeremiah 10:23
• 13. Romans 12:16
• 14. Job 1:1; Job 28:28; Proverbs 8:13; Proverbs 16:6
• 15. Proverbs 4:22
• 16. Job 21:24
• 17. Isaiah 43:23
• 18. Exodus 23:19; Deuteronomy 26:2; Malachi 3:10
• 19. Deuteronomy 28:8
• 20. Joel 2:24
• 21. Job 5:17; Hebrews 12:5, 6
• 22. Revelation 3:19
• 23. Deuteronomy 8:5; Proverbs 13:24

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "law"
• [b]. Lit "understanding"
• [c]. Lit "navel"
• [d]. Or "instruction"