Proverbs 3

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.

21 Maintain [your] competence and discretion. My son, don't lose sight of them.

22 They will be life for you^[r] and adornment^[s] for your neck.

23 Then you will go safely on your way; your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie^[t] down, you will not be afraid; you will lie down, and your sleep will be pleasant.

25 Don't fear sudden danger or the ruin of the wicked when it comes,

26 for the Lord will be your confidence^[u] and will keep your foot from a snare.

Treat Others Fairly

27 When it is in your power,^[v] don't withhold good from the one to whom it is due.

28 Don't say to your neighbor, "Go away! Come back later. I'll give it tomorrow"-when it is there with you.

29 Don't plan any harm against your neighbor, for he trusts you and lives near you.

30 Don't accuse anyone without cause,^[w] when he has done you no harm.

31 Don't envy a violent man^[x] or choose any of his ways;

32 for the devious are detestable to the Lord, but He is a friend^[y] to the upright.^[z]

33 The Lord's curse is on the household of the wicked, but He blesses the home of the righteous;

34 He mocks those who mock, but gives grace to the humble.^[aa]

35 The wise will inherit honor, but He holds up fools to dishonor.^[ab]

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.

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
• [r]. Or be your throat; Hb nephesh can mean throat, soul, or life.
• [s]. Or grace
• [t]. LXX reads sit
• [u]. Or be at your side
• [v]. Lit in the power of your hands
• [w]. Pr 24:28
• [x]. Pr 23:17; 24:1,19; Ps 37:1
• [y]. Or confidential counsel
• [z]. Pr 11:20; 12:22; 15:8-9
• [aa]. Jms 4:6; 1 Pt 5:5
• [ab]. Or but haughty fools dishonor, or but fools exalt dishonor

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.