Proverbs 3
3
The Rewards of Wisdom
1My son, do not forget my #Or law.teaching,
But let your heart keep my commandments;
2For length of days and years of life [worth living]
And tranquility and prosperity [the wholeness of life’s blessings] they will add to you.
3Do 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.
4So find favor and high esteem
In the sight of God and man.
5Trust in and rely confidently on the Lord with all your heart
And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
6 # One of the ancient rabbis said that all the essence of the Torah (Law) depends on this verse. 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].
7Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord [with reverent awe and obedience] and turn [entirely] away from evil.
8It 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.
9Honor the Lord with your wealth
And with the first fruits of all your crops (income);
10Then your barns will be abundantly filled
And your vats will overflow with new wine.
11My 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,
12For those whom the Lord loves He corrects,
Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights.
13Happy [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],
14For wisdom’s profit is better than the profit of silver,
And her gain is better than fine gold.
15She is more precious than rubies;
And nothing you can wish for compares with her [in value].
16Long life is in her right hand;
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are highways of pleasantness and favor,
And all her paths are peace.
18She 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.
19The Lord by His wisdom has founded the earth;
By His understanding He has established the heavens.
20By His knowledge the deeps were broken up
And the clouds drip with dew.
21My son, let them not escape from your sight,
But keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22And they will be life to your soul (your inner self)
And a gracious adornment to your neck (your outer self).
23Then you will walk on your way [of life] securely
And your foot will not stumble.
24When you lie down, you will not be afraid;
When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.
25Do not be afraid of sudden fear
Nor of the storm of the wicked when it comes [since you will be blameless];
26For the Lord will be your confidence, firm and strong,
And will keep your foot from being caught [in a trap].
27 # Using this verse as a proof text, the ancient rabbis offered the example of an employer who tells his foreman to hire workers at four zuz (small silver coins) each to do a job, and the foreman hires them at three instead. Even though they accepted the terms, the rabbis rule that they have the right to complain. Compare this with the parable of the landowner who hires workers for a denarius each. The difference there is that the first group receives a fair wage, while the last is overpaid as a matter of generosity (Matt 20:15). Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due [its rightful recipients],
When it is in your power to do it.
28Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come back,
And tomorrow I will give it,”
When you have it with you.
29Do not devise evil against your neighbor,
Who lives securely beside you.
30Do not quarrel with a man without cause,
If he has done you no harm.
31Do not envy a man of violence
And do not choose any of his ways.
32For the devious are repulsive to the Lord;
But His private counsel is with the upright [those with spiritual integrity and moral courage].
33The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked,
But He blesses the home of the just and righteous.
34Though 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].
35The wise will inherit honor and glory,
But dishonor and shame is conferred on fools.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 3: AMP
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Amplified® Bible
Copyright © 2015 by
The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, CA 90631
All rights reserved. http://www.lockman.org
Proverbs 3
3
More Good Things Come From Wisdom
1My son, do not forget my teaching.
Keep my commands in your heart.
2They will help you live for many years.
They will bring you peace and success.
3Don’t let love and truth ever leave you.
Tie them around your neck.
Write them on the tablet of your heart.
4Then you will find favor and a good name
in the eyes of God and people.
5Trust in the Lord with all your heart.
Do not depend on your own understanding.
6In all your ways obey him.
Then he will make your paths smooth and straight.
7Don’t be wise in your own eyes.
Have respect for the Lord and avoid evil.
8That will bring health to your body.
It will make your bones strong.
9Honor the Lord with your wealth.
Give him the first share of all your crops.
10Then your storerooms will be so full they can’t hold everything.
Your huge jars will spill over with fresh wine.
11My son, do not hate the Lord’s training.
Do not object when he corrects you.
12The Lord trains those he loves.
He is like a father who trains the son he is pleased with.
13Blessed is the one who finds wisdom.
Blessed is the one who gains understanding.
14Wisdom pays better than silver does.
She earns more than gold does.
15She is worth more than rubies.
Nothing you want can compare with her.
16Long life is in her right hand.
In her left hand are riches and honor.
17Her ways are pleasant ways.
All her paths lead to peace.
18She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her.
Those who hold her close will be blessed.
19By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations.
Through understanding he set the heavens in place.
20By his knowledge the seas were separated,
and the clouds dropped their dew.
21My son, do not let wisdom and understanding out of your sight.
Hold on to good sense and the understanding of what is right.
22They will be life for you.
They will be like a gracious necklace around your neck.
23Then you will go on your way in safety.
You will not trip and fall.
24When you lie down, you won’t be afraid.
When you lie down, you will sleep soundly.
25Don’t be terrified by sudden trouble.
Don’t be afraid when sinners are destroyed.
26The Lord will be at your side.
He will keep your feet from being caught in a trap.
27Don’t hold back good from those who are worthy of it.
Don’t hold it back when you can help.
28Suppose you already have something to give.
Don’t say to your neighbor,
“Come back tomorrow.
I’ll give it to you then.”
29Don’t plan to harm your neighbor.
He lives near you and trusts you.
30Don’t bring charges against anyone for no reason.
They have not harmed you.
31Don’t be jealous of a person who hurts others.
Don’t choose any of their ways.
32The Lord really hates sinful people.
But he makes honest people his closest friends.
33The Lord puts a curse on the houses of sinners.
But he blesses the homes of those who do what is right.
34He makes fun of proud people who make fun of others.
But he gives grace to those who are humble and treated badly.
35Wise people receive honor.
But foolish people get only shame.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version®, NIrV®
Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.