Proverbs 3

1 My child, don't forget what I teach you. Always remember what I tell you to do.

2 My teaching will give you a long and prosperous life.

3 Never let go of loyalty and faithfulness. Tie them around your neck; write them on your heart.

4 If you do this, both God and people will be pleased with you. ¹

5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know.

6 Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way.

7 Never let yourself think that you are wiser than you are; simply obey the Lord and refuse to do wrong. ²

8 If you do, it will be like good medicine, healing your wounds and easing your pains.

9 Honor the Lord by making him an offering from the best of all that your land produces.

10 If you do, your barns will be filled with grain, and you will have too much wine to store it all.

11 My child, when the Lord corrects you, pay close attention and take it as a warning. ³

12 The Lord corrects those he loves, as parents correct a child of whom they are proud. ⁴

13 Happy is anyone who becomes wise - who comes to have understanding.

14 There is more profit in it than there is in silver; it is worth more to you than gold.

15 Wisdom is more valuable than jewels; nothing you could want can compare with it.

16 Wisdom offers you long life, as well as wealth and honor.

17 Wisdom can make your life pleasant and lead you safely through it.

18 Those who become wise are happy; wisdom will give them life.

19 The Lord created the earth by his wisdom; by his knowledge he set the sky in place.

20 His wisdom caused the rivers to flow and the clouds to give rain to the earth.

21 My child, hold on to your wisdom and insight. Never let them get away from you.

22 They will provide you with life - a pleasant and happy life.

23 You can go safely on your way and never even stumble.

24 You will not be afraid when you go to bed, and you will sleep soundly through the night.

25 You will not have to worry about sudden disasters, such as come on the wicked like a storm.

26 The Lord will keep you safe. He will not let you fall into a trap.

27 Whenever you possibly can, do good to those who need it. ⁵

28 Never tell your neighbors to wait until tomorrow if you can help them now.

29 Don't plan anything that will hurt your neighbors; they live beside you, trusting you.

30 Don't argue with others for no reason when they have never done you any harm.

31 Don't be jealous of violent people or decide to act as they do,

32 because the Lord hates people who do evil, but he takes righteous people into his confidence.

33 The Lord puts a curse on the homes of the wicked, but blesses the homes of the righteous.

34 He has no use for conceited people, but shows favor to those who are humble. ⁶

35 Wise people will gain an honorable reputation, but stupid people will only add to their own disgrace.

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.

Cross References

• 1. 3.4Luke 2.52.
• 2. 3.7Romans 12.16.
• 3. 3.11Job 5.17.+O+N3.11, 12Hebrews 12.5, 6.
• 4. 3.12Revelation 3.19.
• 5. +23.27, 28Ben Sira 4.3.
• 6. 3.34James 4.6; 1 P 5.5.

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.