Proverbs 3:1-20

Trust in the LORD with All Your Heart

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

2 for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.

3 Never let loving devotion ^[a] or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

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

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

8 This will bring healing to your body ^[b] and refreshment ^[c] to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke; ^[d]

12 for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights. ^[e]

The Blessings of Wisdom

13 Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who acquires understanding,

14 for she is more profitable than silver, and her gain is better than fine gold.

15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire compares with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.

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

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

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

20 By His knowledge the watery depths were broken open, 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]. Forms of the Hebrew chesed are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion; the range of meaning includes love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy, as well as loyalty to a covenant.
• [b]. Hebrew navel
• [c]. Or medicine
• [d]. LXX and do not lose heart when He rebukes; cited in Hebrews 12:5
• [e]. LXX and He flogs every son He receives; cited in Hebrews 12:6