Proverbs 3

Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart

1 y My son, do not forget my teaching,
z but let your heart keep my commandments,
 2 for a length of days and years of life
and b peace they will add to you.

3 Let not c steadfast love and d faithfulness forsake you;
e bind them around your neck;
f write them on the tablet of your heart.
 4 So you will g find favor and h good success 1
in the sight of God and man.

5 i Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and j do not lean on your own understanding.
 6 In all your ways k acknowledge him,
and he l will make straight your paths.
 7 m Be not wise in your own eyes;
n fear the Lord, and turn away from evil.
 8 It will be o healing to your flesh 2
and p refreshment 3 to your bones.

9 Honor the Lord with your wealth
and with q the firstfruits of all your produce;
 10 then your r barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.

11 s My son, do not despise the Lord's discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
 12 for the Lord reproves him whom he loves,
as t a father the son in whom he delights.

Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom

13 u Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
 14 v for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than w gold.
 15 She is more precious than x jewels,
and y nothing you desire can compare with her.
 16 z Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are a riches and honor.
 17 Her b ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
 18 She is c a tree of life to those who d lay hold of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.

19 e The Lord by wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding e he established the heavens;
 20 by his knowledge f the deeps broke open,
and g the clouds drop down the dew.

21 My son, h do not lose sight of these -
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
 22 and they will be i life for your soul
and j adornment for your neck.
 23 k Then you will walk on your way securely,
l and your foot will not stumble.
 24 m If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, n your sleep will be sweet.
 25 o Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of p the ruin 4 of the wicked, when it comes,
 26 for the Lord will be your confidence
and will q keep your foot from being caught.
 27 r Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, 5
when it is in your power to do it.

28 s Do not say to your neighbor, "Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it" - when you have it with you.
 29 t Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who u dwells trustingly beside you.
 30 v Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.
 31 w Do not envy x a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
 32 for y the devious person is an abomination to the Lord,
but the upright are z in his confidence.
 33 a The Lord's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he b blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
 34 Toward the c scorners he d is scornful,
e but to the humble he gives favor. 6
35 The wise will inherit honor,
but fools get 7 disgrace.

  1. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:8
    Hear, my son, your father's instruction, and forsake not your mother's teaching.
  2. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 8:1
    The whole commandment that I command you today you shall be careful to do, that you may live and multiply, and go in and possess the land that the Lord swore to give to your fathers.
    Deuteronomy 30:16
    If you obey the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, by loving the Lord your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it.
    Deuteronomy 30:20
    Loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.
  3. Cross References
    Proverbs 3:16
    Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
    Proverbs 4:10
    Hear, my son, and accept my words, that the years of your life may be many.
    Proverbs 9:11
    For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life.
    Proverbs 10:27
    The fear of the Lord prolongs life, but the years of the wicked will be short.
    Psalms 91:16
    With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation.
  4. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:33
    But whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster.
    Psalms 119:165
    Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.
  5. Cross References
    Psalms 85:10
    Steadfast love and faithfulness meet; righteousness and peace kiss each other.
  6. Cross References
    Proverbs 20:28
    Steadfast love and faithfulness preserve the king, and by steadfast love his throne is upheld.
    Isaiah 59:14
    Justice is turned back, and righteousness stands far away; for truth has stumbled in the public squares, and uprightness cannot enter.
  7. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:9
    For they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
    Proverbs 6:21
    Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck.
    Proverbs 7:3
    Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
  8. Cross References
    Proverbs 7:3
    Bind them on your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart.
    Jeremiah 17:1
    The sin of Judah is written with a pen of iron; with a point of diamond it is engraved on the tablet of their heart, and on the horns of their altars.
    2 Corinthians 3:3
    And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
  9. Cross References
    1 Samuel 2:26
    Now the young man Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the Lord and also with man.
    Luke 2:52
    And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man.
    Romans 14:18
    Whoever thus serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.
  10. Cross References
    Psalms 111:10
    The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever!
  11. Cross References
    Psalms 37:3
    Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness.
    Psalms 37:5
    Commit your way to the Lord ; trust in him, and he will act.
  12. Cross References
    Jeremiah 9:23
    Thus says the Lord : "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches.
  13. Cross References
    1 Chronicles 28:9
    And you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve him with a whole heart and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought. If you seek him, he will be found by you, but if you forsake him, he will cast you off forever.
  14. Cross References
    Psalms 73:24
    You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will receive me to glory.
  15. Cross References
    Romans 12:16
    Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight.
    Proverbs 12:15
    The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.
  16. Cross References
    Job 1:1
    There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil.
    Job 28:28
    And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'
  17. Cross References
    Proverbs 4:22
    For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
  18. Cross References
    Job 21:24
    His pails full of milk and the marrow of his bones moist.
  19. Cross References
    Exodus 23:19
    The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring into the house of the Lord your God. "You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk.
    Exodus 34:26
    The best of the firstfruits of your ground you shall bring to the house of the Lord your God. You shall not boil a young goat in its mother's milk.
    Deuteronomy 26:2
    You shall take some of the first of all the fruit of the ground, which you harvest from your land that the Lord your God is giving you, and you shall put it in a basket, and you shall go to the place that the Lord your God will choose, to make his name to dwell there.
  20. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 28:8
    The Lord will command the blessing on you in your barns and in all that you undertake. And he will bless you in the land that the Lord your God is giving you.
  21. Cross References
    Hebrews 12:5 - 6
    And have you forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons? "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
    Job 5:17
    Behold, blessed is the one whom God reproves; therefore despise not the discipline of the Almighty.
  22. Cross References
    Deuteronomy 8:5
    Know then in your heart that, as a man disciplines his son, the Lord your God disciplines you.
    1 Corinthians 11:32
    But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world.
  23. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:34 - 35
    Blessed is the one who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors.
  24. Cross References
    Job 28:15 - 19
    It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price.
  25. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:10
    Take my instruction instead of silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.
    Proverbs 8:19
    My fruit is better than gold, even fine gold, and my yield than choice silver.
    Proverbs 16:16
    How much better to get wisdom than gold! To get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver.
    Psalms 19:10
    More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
  26. Cross References
    Job 28:18
    No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls.
  27. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:11
    For wisdom is better than jewels, and all that you may desire cannot compare with her.
  28. Cross References
    Proverbs 3:2
    For length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.
  29. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:18
    Riches and honor are with me, enduring wealth and righteousness.
    Proverbs 22:4
    The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.
  30. Cross References
    Matthew 11:29 - 30
    Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
  31. Cross References
    Proverbs 11:30
    The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, a...
    Proverbs 13:12
    Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desir...
    Proverbs 15:4
    A gentle tongue is a tree of life, but perverse...
    Genesis 2:9
    And out of the ground the Lord God made to spri...
    Genesis 3:22
    Then the Lord God said, "Behold, the man has be...
    Revelation 2:7
    He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit...
    Revelation 22:2
    Through the middle of the street of the city; a...
  32. Cross References
    Proverbs 4:13
    Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life.
  33. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:27
    When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep.
    Psalms 104:5
    He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.
    Psalms 104:24
    O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
    Psalms 136:5
    To him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever.
  34. Cross References
    Proverbs 8:27
    When he established the heavens, I was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep.
    Psalms 104:5
    He set the earth on its foundations, so that it should never be moved.
    Psalms 104:24
    O Lord, how manifold are your works! In wisdom have you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures.
    Psalms 136:5
    To him who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever.
  35. Cross References
    Genesis 7:11
    In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, on the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep burst forth, and the windows of the heavens were opened.
    Job 38:8
    Or who shut in the sea with doors when it burst out from the womb.
  36. Cross References
    Job 36:28
    Which the skies pour down and drop on mankind abundantly.
  37. Cross References
    Proverbs 4:21
    Let them not escape from your sight; keep them within your heart.
  38. Cross References
    Proverbs 4:22
    For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh.
  39. Cross References
    Proverbs 1:9
    For they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck.
  40. Cross References
    Proverbs 10:9
    Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but he who makes his ways crooked will be found out.
    Proverbs 28:18
    Whoever walks in integrity will be delivered, but he who is crooked in his ways will suddenly fall.
    Psalms 91:11
    For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways.
  41. Cross References
    Proverbs 4:12
    When you walk, your step will not be hampered, and if you run, you will not stumble.
    Psalms 91:12
    On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
  42. Cross References
    Proverbs 6:22
    When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.
    Psalms 3:5
    I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the Lord sustained me.
    Psalms 4:8
    In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.
    Job 11:19
    You will lie down, and none will make you afraid; many will court your favor.
  43. Cross References
    Jeremiah 31:26
    At this I awoke and looked, and my sleep was pleasant to me.
  44. Cross References
    1 Peter 3:14
    But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled.
    Psalms 91:5
    You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day.
  45. Cross References
    Job 5:21
    You shall be hidden from the lash of the tongue, and shall not fear destruction when it comes.
  46. Cross References
    1 Samuel 2:9
    He will guard the feet of his faithful ones, but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness, for not by might shall a man prevail.
  47. Cross References
    Galatians 6:10
    So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.
  48. Cross References
    Leviticus 19:13
    You shall not oppress your neighbor or rob him. The wages of a hired servant shall not remain with you all night until the morning.
    Deuteronomy 24:15
    You shall give him his wages on the same day, before the sun sets (for he is poor and counts on it), lest he cry against you to the Lord, and you be guilty of sin.
  49. Cross References
    Proverbs 6:14
    With perverted heart devises evil, continually sowing discord.
    Proverbs 12:20
    Deceit is in the heart of those who devise evil, but those who plan peace have joy.
    Proverbs 14:22
    Do they not go astray who devise evil? Those who devise good meet steadfast love and faithfulness.
  50. Cross References
    Judges 18:7
    Then the five men departed and came to Laish and saw the people who were there, how they lived in security, after the manner of the Sidonians, quiet and unsuspecting, lacking nothing that is in the earth and possessing wealth, and how they were far from the Sidonians and had no dealings with anyone.
    Judges 18:27
    But the people of Dan took what Micah had made, and the priest who belonged to him, and they came to Laish, to a people quiet and unsuspecting, and struck them with the edge of the sword and burned the city with fire.
  51. Cross References
    Romans 12:18
    If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
  52. Cross References
    Psalms 37:1
    Fret not yourself because of evildoers; be not envious of wrongdoers!
  53. Cross References
    Psalms 18:48
    Who delivered me from my enemies; yes, you exalted me above those who rose against me; you rescued me from the man of violence.
    Psalms 140:1
    Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men; preserve me from violent men.
  54. Cross References
    Proverbs 2:15
    Men whose paths are crooked, and who are devious in their ways.
  55. Cross References
    Job 29:4
    As I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent.
  56. Cross References
    Psalms 37:22
    For those blessed by the Lord shall inherit the land, but those cursed by him shall be cut off.
    Zechariah 5:4
    I will send it out, declares the Lord of hosts, and it shall enter the house of the thief, and the house of him who swears falsely by my name. And it shall remain in his house and consume it, both timber and stones.
    Malachi 2:2
    If you will not listen, if you will not take it to heart to give honor to my name, says the Lord of hosts, then I will send the curse upon you and I will curse your blessings. Indeed, I have already cursed them, because you do not lay it to heart.
    Leviticus 26:14 - 39
    But if you will not listen to me and will not do all these commandments.
  57. Cross References
    Job 8:6
    If you are pure and upright, surely then he will rouse himself for you and restore your rightful habitation.
  58. Cross References
    Psalms 1:1
    Book One Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers.
  59. Cross References
    James 4:6
    But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
    1 Peter 5:5
    Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
    Psalms 138:6
    For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
  60. Cross References
    James 4:6
    But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, "God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble.
    1 Peter 5:5
    Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.
    Psalms 138:6
    For though the Lord is high, he regards the lowly, but the haughty he knows from afar.
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.
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