Home Master Index
←Prev   Proverbs 3 as rendered by/in  Next→ 


3:1  My son, do not forget my teaching, But let your heart keep my commandments;
3:2  For length of days and years of life [worth living] And tranquility and prosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings] they will add to you.
3:3  Do not let mercy and kindness and truth leave you [instead let these qualities define you]; Bind them [securely] around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart.
3:4  So find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man.
3:5  Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
3:6  In all your ways know and acknowledge and recognize Him, And He will make your paths straight and smooth [removing obstacles that block your way].
3:7  Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil.
3:8  It will be health to your body [your marrow, your nerves, your sinews, your muscles—all your inner parts] And refreshment (physical well-being) to your bones.
3:9  Honor the Lord with your wealth And with the first fruits of all your crops (income);
3:10  Then your barns will be abundantly filled And your vats will overflow with new wine.
3:11  My son, do not reject or take lightly the discipline of the Lord [learn from your mistakes and the testing that comes from His correction through discipline]; Nor despise His rebuke,
3:12  For those whom the Lord loves He corrects, Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
3:13  Happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is the man who finds [skillful and godly] wisdom, And the man who gains understanding and insight [learning from God’s word and life’s experiences],
3:14  For wisdom’s profit is better than the profit of silver, And her gain is better than fine gold.
3:15  She is more precious than rubies; And nothing you can wish for compares with her [in value].
3:16  Long life is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor.
3:17  Her ways are highways of pleasantness and favor, And all her paths are peace.
3:18  She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy [blessed, considered fortunate, to be admired] is everyone who holds her tightly.
3:19  The Lord by His wisdom has founded the earth; By His understanding He has established the heavens.
3:20  By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the clouds drip with dew.
3:21  My son, let them not escape from your sight, But keep sound wisdom and discretion,
3:22  And they will be life to your soul (your inner self) And a gracious adornment to your neck (your outer self).
3:23  Then you will walk on your way [of life] securely And your foot will not stumble.
3:24  When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
3:25  Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the storm of the wicked when it comes [since you will be blameless];
3:26  For the Lord will be your confidence, firm and strong, And will keep your foot from being caught [in a trap].
3:27  Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due [its rightful recipients], When it is in your power to do it.
3:28  Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back, And tomorrow I will give it,” When you have it with you.
3:29  Do not devise evil against your neighbor, Who lives securely beside you.
3:30  Do not quarrel with a man without cause, If he has done you no harm.
3:31  Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways.
3:32  For the devious are repulsive to the Lord; But His private counsel is with the upright [those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].
3:33  The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just and righteous.
3:34  Though He scoffs at the scoffers and scorns the scorners, Yet He gives His grace [His undeserved favor] to the humble [those who give up self-importance].
3:35  The wise will inherit honor and glory, But dishonor and shame is conferred on fools.