1 My son, don't forget my teaching; but let your heart keep my commandments: 2 for length of days, and years of life, and peace, will they add to you. 3 Don't let kindness and truth forsake you. Bind them around your neck. Write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 So you will find favor, and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Don't be wise in your own eyes. Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil. 8 It will be health to your body, and nourishment to your bones. 9 Honor Yahweh with your substance, with the first fruits of all your increase: 10 so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine. 11 My son, don't despise Yahweh's discipline, neither be weary of his reproof: 12 for whom Yahweh loves, he reproves; even as a father reproves the son in whom he delights. 13 Happy is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gets understanding. 14 For her good profit is better than getting silver, and her return is better than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies. None of the things you can desire are to be compared to her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand. In her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her. Happy is everyone who retains her. 19 By wisdom Yahweh founded the earth. By understanding, he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge, the depths were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew. 21 My son, let them not depart from your eyes. Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 so they will be life to your soul, and grace for your neck. 23 Then you shall walk in your way securely. Your foot won't stumble. 24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid. Yes, you will lie down, and your sleep will be sweet. 25 Don't be afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it comes: 26 for Yahweh will be your confidence, and will keep your foot from being taken. 27 Don't withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in the power of your hand to do it. 28 Don't say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again; tomorrow I will give it to you," when you have it by you. 29 Don't devise evil against your neighbor, since he dwells securely by you. 30 Don't strive with a man without cause, if he has done you no harm. 31 Don't envy the man of violence. Choose none of his ways. 32 For the perverse is an abomination to Yahweh, but his friendship is with the upright. 33 Yahweh's curse is in the house of the wicked, but he blesses the habitation of the righteous. 34 Surely he mocks the mockers, but he gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise will inherit glory, but shame will be the promotion of fools.
An exhortation to obedience, Proverbs 3:1-4; trust in God's providence, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 3:6; to humility, Proverbs 3:7, Proverbs 3:8; to charity, Proverbs 3:9, Proverbs 3:10; to submission to God's chastening, Proverbs 3:11, Proverbs 3:12. The profitableness of wisdom in all the concerns of life, Proverbs 3:13-26. No act of duty should be deferred beyond the time in which it should be done, Proverbs 3:27, Proverbs 3:28. Brotherly love and forbearance should he exercised, Proverbs 3:29, Proverbs 3:30. We should not envy the wicked, Proverbs 3:31, Proverbs 3:32. The curse of God is in the house of the wicked; but the humble and wise shall prosper, Proverbs 3:33-35.
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, Proverbs 3:1; 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, Proverbs 3:3; 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, Proverbs 3:5; to humility and the fear of God, and fleeing from evil, which they would find would much contribute to their health, Proverbs 3:7; to liberality in supporting the worship of God, and the interest of religion, which would turn to account and profit to them, Proverbs 3:9; to patience in bearing the chastisement of the Lord, as coming from a loving father, Proverbs 3:11; then follows a commendation of wisdom, and the happiness of the man possessed of it is declared, Proverbs 3:13; from the profit, preciousness, pleasure, and usefulness of it, Proverbs 3:14; and from its concern in the works of creation and providence, Proverbs 3:19; and from that comfort, honour, safety, and security, which come by the doctrines and instructions of Wisdom, and a steady regard to them, Proverbs 3:21; and the chapter is concluded with exhortations to beneficence, charity, concord, and peace with neighbours, Proverbs 3:27; 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, Proverbs 3:31.
(Proverbs 3:1-6) Exhortations to obedience and faith.
(Proverbs 3:7-12) To piety, and to improve afflictions.
(Proverbs 3:13-20) To gain wisdom.
(Proverbs 3:21-26) Guidance of Wisdom.
(Proverbs 3:27-35) The wicked and the upright.
*More commentary available by clicking individual verses.