Proverbs 3

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

2 for they will add to you many days, years of life and peace.

3 Do not let grace and truth leave you -bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will win favor and esteem in the sight of God and of people.

5 Trust in ADONAI with all your heart; do not rely on your own understanding.

6 In all your ways acknowledge him; then he will level your paths.

7 Don't be conceited about your own wisdom; but fear ADONAI, and turn from evil.

8 This will bring health to your body and give strength to your bones.

9 Honor ADONAI with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your income.

10 Then your granaries will be filled and your vats overflow with new wine.

11 My son, don't despise ADONAI's discipline or resent his reproof;

12 for ADONAI corrects those he loves like a father who delights in his son.

13 Happy the person who finds wisdom, the person who acquires understanding;

14 for her profit exceeds that of silver, gaining her is better than gold,

15 she is more precious than pearls -nothing you want can compare with her.

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

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

18 She is a tree of life to those who grasp her; whoever holds fast to her will be made happy.

19 ADONAI by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding he established the heavens,

20 by his knowledge the deep [springs] burst open and the dew condenses from the sky.

21 My son, don't let these slip from your sight; preserve common sense and discretion;

22 they will be life for your being and grace for your neck.

23 Then you will walk your way securely, without hurting your foot.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 Don't be afraid of sudden terror or destruction caused by the wicked, when it comes;

26 for you can rely on ADONAI; he will keep your foot from being caught in a trap.

27 Don't withhold good from someone entitled to it when you have in hand the power to do it.

28 Don't tell your neighbor, "Go away! Come another time; I'll give it to you tomorrow," when you have it now.

29 Don't plan harm against your neighbor who lives beside you trustingly.

30 Don't quarrel with someone for no reason, if he has done you no harm.

31 Don't envy a man of violence, don't choose any of his ways;

32 for the perverse is an abomination to ADONAI, but he shares his secret counsel with the upright.

33 ADONAI's curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous.

34 The scornful he scorns, but gives grace to the humble.

35 The wise win honor, but fools win shame.

Proverbs 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.

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.