Proverbs 3

1 My son, keep my teaching in your memory, and my rules in your heart:

2 For they will give you increase of days, years of life, and peace.

3 Let not mercy and good faith go from you; let them be hanging round your neck, recorded on your heart;

4 So you will have grace and a good name in the eyes of God and men.

5 Put all your hope in God, not looking to your reason for support.

6 In all your ways give ear to him, and he will make straight your footsteps.

7 Put no high value on your wisdom: let the fear of the Lord be before you, and keep yourself from evil:

8 This will give strength to your flesh, and new life to your bones.

9 Give honour to the Lord with your wealth, and with the first-fruits of all your increase:

10 So your store-houses will be full of grain, and your vessels overflowing with new wine.

11 My son, do not make your heart hard against the Lord's teaching; do not be made angry by his training:

12 For to those who are dear to him the Lord says sharp words, and makes the son in whom he has delight undergo pain.

13 Happy is the man who makes discovery of wisdom, and he who gets knowledge.

14 For trading in it is better than trading in silver, and its profit greater than bright gold.

15 She is of more value than jewels, and nothing for which you may have a desire is fair in comparison with her.

16 Long life is in her right hand, and in her left are wealth and honour.

17 Her ways are ways of delight, and all her goings are peace.

18 She is a tree of life to all who take her in their hands, and happy is everyone who keeps her.

19 The Lord by wisdom put in position the bases of the earth; by reason he put the heavens in their place.

20 By his knowledge the deep was parted, and dew came dropping from the skies.

21 My son, keep good sense, and do not let wise purpose go from your eyes.

22 So they will be life for your soul, and grace for your neck.

23 Then you will go safely on your way, and your feet will have no cause for slipping.

24 When you take your rest you will have no fear, and on your bed sleep will be sweet to you.

25 Have no fear of sudden danger, or of the storm which will come on evil-doers:

26 For the Lord will be your hope, and will keep your foot from being taken in the net.

27 Do not keep back good from those who have a right to it, when it is in the power of your hand to do it.

28 Say not to your neighbour, Go, and come again, and tomorrow I will give; when you have it by you at the time.

29 Do not make evil designs against your neighbour, when he is living with you without fear.

30 Do not take up a cause at law against a man for nothing, if he has done you no wrong.

31 Have no envy of the violent man, or take any of his ways as an example.

32 For the wrong-hearted man is hated by the Lord, but he is a friend to the upright.

33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the evil-doer, but his blessing is on the tent of the upright.

34 He makes sport of the men of pride, but he gives grace to the gentle-hearted.

35 The wise will have glory for their heritage, but shame will be the reward of the foolish.

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.

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.