Read Proverbs chapter 3 online with LogosAI Bible study tools, highlights, and cross references.
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. 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).
1 My sonne, forget not thou my Lawe, but let thine heart keepe my commandements.
2 For they shall increase the length of thy dayes and the yeeres of life, and thy prosperitie.
3 Let not mercie and trueth forsake thee: binde them on thy necke, and write them vpon the table of thine heart.
4 So shalt thou finde fauour and good vnderstanding in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and leane not vnto thine owne wisdome.
6 In all thy wayes acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy wayes.
7 Be not wise in thine owne eyes: but feare the Lord, and depart from euill.
8 So health shalbe vnto thy nauel, and marowe vnto thy bones.
9 Honour the Lord with thy riches, and with the first fruites of all thine increase.
10 So shall thy barnes be filled with abundance, and thy presses shall burst with newe wine.
11 My sonne, refuse not the chastening of the Lord, neither be grieued with his correction.
12 For the Lord correcteth him, whome he loueth, euen as the father doeth the childe in whom he deliteth.
13 Blessed is the man that findeth wisedome, and the man that getteth vnderstanding.
14 For the marchandise thereof is better then the marchandise of siluer, and the gaine thereof is better then golde.
15 It is more precious then pearles: and all things that thou canst desire, are not to be compared vnto her.
16 Length of dayes is in her right hand, and in her left hand riches and glory.
17 Her wayes are wayes of pleasure, and all her pathes prosperitie.
18 She is a tree of life to them that lay holde on her, and blessed is he that retaineth her.
19 The Lord by wisdome hath layde the foundation of the earth, and hath stablished the heauens through vnderstanding.
20 By his knowledge the depthes are broken vp, and the cloudes droppe downe the dewe.
21 My sonne, let not these things depart from thine eyes, but obserue wisdome, and counsell.
22 So they shalbe life to thy soule, and grace vnto thy necke.
23 Then shalt thou walke safely by thy way: and thy foote shall not stumble.
24 If thou sleepest, thou shalt not bee afraide, and when thou sleepest, thy sleepe shalbe sweete.
25 Thou shalt not feare for any sudden feare, neither for the destruction of the wicked, when it commeth.
26 For the Lord shall be for thine assurance, and shall preserue thy foote from taking.
27 Withhold not the good from the owners thereof, though there be power in thine hand to doe it.
28 Say not vnto thy neighbour, Go and come againe, and to morow wil I giue thee, if thou now haue it.
29 Intend none hurt against thy neighbour, seeing he doeth dwell without feare by thee.
30 Striue not with a man causelesse, when he hath done thee no harme.
31 Bee not enuious for the wicked man, neither chuse any of his wayes.
32 For the frowarde is abomination vnto the Lord: but his secret is with the righteous.
33 The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the righteous.
34 With the scornefull he scorneth, but hee giueth grace vnto the humble.
35 The wise shall inherite glorie: but fooles dishonour, though they be exalted.