Proverbs 3:21-35

21 My son, ¹let them not vanish from your sight; Keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22 So they will be ²life to your soul And ³adornment to your neck.

23 Then you will ⁴walk in your way securely And your foot will not ⁵stumble.

24 When you ⁶lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.

25 ⁷Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the ⁸onslaught of the wicked when it comes;

26 For the LORD will be your confidence And will ⁹keep your foot from being caught.

27 ¹⁰Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.

28 ¹¹Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you.

29 ¹²Do not devise harm against your neighbor, While he lives securely beside you.

30 ¹³Do not contend with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.

31 ¹⁴Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways.

32 For the ¹⁵devious are an abomination to the LORD; But He is ¹⁶intimate with the upright.

33 The ¹⁷curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He ¹⁸blesses the dwelling of the righteous.

34 Though ¹⁹He scoffs at the scoffers, Yet ²⁰He gives grace to the afflicted.

35 ²¹The wise will inherit honor, But fools display dishonor.

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. Deuteronomy 32:47; Proverbs 4:22; Proverbs 8:35; Proverbs 16:22; Proverbs 21:21
• 3. Proverbs 1:9
• 4. Proverbs 4:12; Proverbs 10:9
• 5. Psalms 91:12; Isaiah 5:27; Isaiah 63:13
• 6. Job 11:19; Psalms 3:5; Proverbs 1:33; Proverbs 6:22
• 7. Psalms 91:5; 1 Peter 3:14
• 8. Job 5:21
• 9. 1 Samuel 2:9
• 10. Romans 13:7; Galatians 6:10
• 11. Leviticus 19:13; Deuteronomy 24:15
• 12. Proverbs 6:14; Proverbs 14:22
• 13. Proverbs 26:17; Romans 12:18
• 14. Psalms 37:1; Proverbs 24:1
• 15. Proverbs 11:20
• 16. Job 29:4; Psalms 25:14
• 17. Leviticus 26:14, 16; Deuteronomy 11:28; Zechariah 5:3, 4; Malachi 2:2
• 18. Job 8:6; Psalms 1:3
• 19. James 4:6
• 20. 1 Peter 5:5
• 21. Daniel 12:3

Footnotes

• [a]. Lit "depart"
• [b]. Lit "storm"
• [c]. Or "at your side"
• [d]. Lit "its owners"
• [e]. Lit "His private counsel is"
• [f]. Lit "raise high"