Proverbs 3
Proverbs 3 is part of “The Call of Wisdom and Warning Against Folly” (1:8–9:18) in the outline of Proverbs.
Proverbs 3 summary
This chapter is one of the most excellent in all this book, both for argument to persuade us to be religious and for directions therein. I. We must be constant to our duty because that is the way to be happy (Pro 3:1-4). II.
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This chapter is one of the most excellent in all this book, both for argument to persuade us to be religious and for directions therein. I. We must be constant to our duty because that is the way to be happy (Pro 3:1-4). II. We must live a life of dependence upon God because that is the way to be safe (Pro 3:5). III. We must keep up the fear of God because that is the way to be healthful (Pro 3:7, Pro 3:8). IV. We must serve God with our estates because that is the way to be rich (Pro 3:9, Pro 3:10). V. We must hear afflictions well because that is the way to get good by them (Pro 3:11, Pro 3:12). VI. We must take pains to obtain wisdom because that is the way to gain her, and to gain by her (Pro 3:13-20). VII. We must always govern ourselves by the rules of wisdom, of right reason and religion, because that is the way to be always easy (Pro 3:21-26). VIII. We must do all the good we can, and no hurt, to our neighbours, because according as men are just or unjust, charitable or uncharitable, humble or haughty, accordingly they shall receive of God (Pro 3:27-35). From all this it appears what a tendency religion has to make men both blessed and blessings.
Source: Matthew Henry, Commentary on the Whole Bible (1706–21; Romans–Revelation completed by Nonconformist ministers). Public domain. Digital text: Free Use Bible API (bible.helloao.org).
Key verses in Proverbs 3
Proverbs 3 (ASV)
American Standard Version (public domain)
Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
1My son, forget not my law; But let thy heart keep my commandments: 2For length of days, and years of life, And peace, will they add to thee. 3Let not kindness and truth forsake thee: Bind them about thy neck; Write them upon the tablet of thy heart: 4So shalt thou find favor and good understanding In the sight of God and man. 5Trust in Jehovah with all thy heart, And lean not upon thine own understanding: 6In all thy ways acknowledge him, And he will direct thy paths. 7Be not wise in thine own eyes; Fear Jehovah, and depart from evil: 8It will be health to thy navel, And marrow to thy bones. 9Honor Jehovah with thy substance, And with the first-fruits of all thine increase: 10So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, And thy vats shall overflow with new wine. 11My son, despise not the chastening of Jehovah; Neither be weary of his reproof: 12For whom Jehovah loveth he reproveth, Even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
13Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, And the man that getteth understanding. 14For the gaining of it is better than the gaining of silver, And the profit thereof than fine gold. 15She is more precious than rubies: And none of the things thou canst desire are to be compared unto her. 16Length of days is in her right hand; In her left hand are riches and honor. 17Her ways are ways of pleasantness, And all her paths are peace. 18She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: And happy is every one that retaineth her. 19Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; By understanding he established the heavens. 20By his knowledge the depths were broken up, And the skies drop down the dew. 21My son, let them not depart from thine eyes; Keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22So shall they be life unto thy soul, And grace to thy neck. 23Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, And thy foot shall not stumble. 24When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: Yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25Be not afraid of sudden fear, Neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh: 26For Jehovah will be thy confidence, And will keep thy foot from being taken.
Instructions for Daily Living
27Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, When it is in the power of thy hand to do it. 28Say not unto thy neighbor, Go, and come again, And to-morrow I will give; When thou hast it by thee. 29Devise not evil against thy neighbor, Seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 30Strive not with a man without cause, If he have done thee no harm. 31Envy thou not the man of violence, And choose none of his ways. 32For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; But his friendship is with the upright. 33The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; But he blesseth the habitation of the righteous. 34Surely he scoffeth at the scoffers; But he giveth grace unto the lowly. 35The wise shall inherit glory; But shame shall be the promotion of fools.