Proverbios 3

1 Hijo mío, no te olvides de mi enseñanza [a] , y tu corazón guarde mis mandamientos,
2 porque largura de días y años de vida y paz te añadirán.
3 La misericordia y la verdad nunca se aparten de ti; átalas a tu cuello, escríbelas en la tabla de tu corazón.
4 Así hallarás favor y buena estimación ante los ojos de Dios y de los hombres.
5 Confía en el SEÑOR con todo tu corazón, y no te apoyes en tu propio entendimiento.
6 Reconócele en todos tus caminos, y El enderezará tus sendas.
7 No seas sabio a tus propios ojos, teme al SEÑOR y apártate del mal.
8 Será medicina para tu cuerpo y refrigerio para tus huesos.
9 Honra al SEÑOR con tus bienes y con las primicias de todos tus frutos;
10 entonces tus graneros se llenarán con abundancia y tus lagares rebosarán de mosto.
11 Hijo mío, no rechaces la disciplina del SEÑOR ni aborrezcas su reprensión,
12 porque el SEÑOR a quien ama reprende, como un padre al hijo en quien se deleita.
13 Bienaventurado el hombre que halla sabiduría y el hombre que adquiere entendimiento;
14 porque su ganancia es mejor que la ganancia de la plata, y sus utilidades mejor que el oro fino.
15 Es más preciosa que las joyas, y nada de lo que deseas se compara con ella.
16 Larga vida hay en su mano derecha, en su mano izquierda, riquezas y honra.
17 Sus caminos son caminos agradables y todas sus sendas, paz.
18 Es árbol de vida para los que de ella echan mano, y felices son los que la abrazan.
19 Con sabiduría fundó el SEÑOR la tierra, con inteligencia estableció los cielos.
20 Con su conocimiento los abismos fueron divididos y los cielos destilan rocío.
21 Hijo mío, no se aparten estas cosas de tus ojos, guarda la prudencia y la discreción,
22 y serán vida para tu alma, y adorno para tu cuello.
23 Entonces andarás con seguridad por tu camino, y no tropezará tu pie.
24 Cuando te acuestes no tendrás temor, sí, te acostarás y será dulce tu sueño.
25 No temerás el pavor repentino, ni el ataque de los impíos cuando venga,
26 porque el SEÑOR será tu confianza, y guardará tu pie de ser apresado.
27 No niegues el bien a quien se le debe, cuando esté en tu mano el hacerlo.
28 No digas a tu prójimo: Ve y vuelve, y mañana te lo daré, cuando lo tienes contigo.
29 No trames el mal contra tu prójimo, mientras habite seguro a tu lado.
30 No contiendas con nadie sin motivo, si no te ha hecho daño.
31 No envidies al hombre violento, y no escojas ninguno de sus caminos;
32 porque el hombre perverso es abominación para el SEÑOR; pero El es amigo íntimo de los rectos.
33 La maldición del SEÑOR está sobre la casa del impío, pero El bendice la morada del justo.
34 Ciertamente El se burla de los burladores, pero da gracia a los afligidos.
35 El sabio heredará honra, pero los necios hacen resaltar su deshonra.

Images for Proverbios 3

Proverbios 3 Commentary

Chapter 3

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)

Verses 1-6 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.

Verses 7-12 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.

Verses 13-20 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.

Verses 21-26 Let us not suffer Christ's words to depart from us, but keep sound wisdom and discretion; then shall we walk safely in his ways. The natural life, and all that belongs to it, shall be under the protection of God's providence; the spiritual life, and all its interests, under the protection of his grace, so that we shall be kept from falling into sin or trouble.

Verses 27-35 Our business is to observe the precepts of Christ, and to copy his example; to do justice, to love mercy, and to beware of covetousness; to be ready for every good work, avoiding needless strife, and bearing evils, if possible, rather than seeking redress by law. It will be found there is little got by striving. Let us not envy prosperous oppressors; far be it from the disciples of Christ to choose any of their ways. These truths may be despised by the covetous and luxurious, but everlasting contempt will be the portion of such scorners, while Divine favour is shown to the humble believer.

Footnotes 2

Chapter Summary

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.

Proverbios 3 Commentaries

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