Proverbs 3:21-35

21 My son, ¹do not lose sight of these-- keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22 and they will be ²life for your soul and ³adornment for your neck.

23 ⁴Then you will walk on your way securely, ⁵and your foot will not stumble.

24 ⁶If you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, ⁷your sleep will be sweet.

25 ⁸Do not be afraid of sudden terror or of ⁹the ruin^[a] of the wicked, when it comes,

26 for the LORD will be your confidence and will ¹⁰keep your foot from being caught.

27 ¹¹Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,^[b] when it is in your power to do it.

28 ¹²Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it"--when you have it with you.

29 ¹³Do not plan evil against your neighbor, who ¹⁴dwells trustingly beside you.

30 ¹⁵Do not contend with a man for no reason, when he has done you no harm.

31 ¹⁶Do not envy ¹⁷a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways,

32 for ¹⁸the devious person is an abomination to the LORD, but the upright are ¹⁹in his confidence.

33 ²⁰The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked, but he ²¹blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

34 Toward the ²²scorners he ²³is scornful, ²⁴but to the humble he gives favor.^[c]

35 The wise will inherit honor, but fools get^[d] disgrace.

Proverbs 3:21-35 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. Proverbs 4:21
• 2. See Proverbs 4:22
• 3. [Proverbs 1:9]
• 4. Proverbs 10:9; [Proverbs 28:18; Psalms 91:11]
• 5. Proverbs 4:12; Psalms 91:12
• 6. [Proverbs 6:22; Psalms 3:5; Psalms 4:8]; See Job 11:19
• 7. Jeremiah 31:26
• 8. [1 Peter 3:14]; See Psalms 91:5
• 9. [Job 5:21]
• 10. See 1 Samuel 2:9
• 11. Galatians 6:10
• 12. [Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:15]
• 13. Proverbs 6:14; Proverbs 12:20; Proverbs 14:22
• 14. [Judges 18:7, 27]
• 15. [Romans 12:18]
• 16. See Psalms 37:1
• 17. Psalms 18:48; Psalms 140:1
• 18. Proverbs 2:15
• 19. See Job 29:4
• 20. Psalms 37:22; Zechariah 5:4; Malachi 2:2; See Leviticus 26:14-39
• 21. [Job 8:6]
• 22. See Psalms 1:1
• 23. [James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; See Psalms 138:6]
• 24. [James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5]; See Psalms 138:6

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew storm
• [b]. Hebrew Do not withhold good from its owners
• [c]. Or grace
• [d]. The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain