Proverbs 3
Lutheran reading notes
In Proverbs chapter 3, the wisdom literature continues to explore wisdom for righteous living and reverence for God. Lutheran interpretation often emphasizes humanity’s limitations and the need to rely on God's grace and promises. The chapter highlights the contrast between human striving and the faithfulness of God.
1
My son, forget not my law; but let thine heart keep my commandments:
Proverbs 3:1 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
2
For length of days, and long life, and peace, shall they add to thee. {long...: Heb. years of life}
Proverbs 3:2 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
3
Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart:
Proverbs 3:3 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
4
So shalt thou find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. {good...: or, good success}
Proverbs 3:4 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
5
Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.
Proverbs 3:5 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
6
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:6 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
7
Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.
8
It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. {health: Heb. medicine} {marrow: Heb. watering, or, moistening}
Proverbs 3:8 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
9
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:
Proverbs 3:9 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
10
So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.
Proverbs 3:10 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
11
My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:
Proverbs 3:11 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
12
For whom the LORD loveth he correcteth; even as a father the son {in whom} he delighteth.
Proverbs 3:12 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
13
Happy {is} the man {that} findeth wisdom, and the man {that} getteth understanding. {that getteth...: Heb. that draweth out understanding}
Proverbs 3:13 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
14
For the merchandise of it {is} better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold.
Proverbs 3:14 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
15
She {is} more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her.
Proverbs 3:15 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
16
Length of days {is} in her right hand; {and} in her left hand riches and honour.
Proverbs 3:16 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
17
Her ways {are} ways of pleasantness, and all her paths {are} peace.
Proverbs 3:17 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
18
She {is} a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy {is every one} that retaineth her.
Proverbs 3:18 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
19
The LORD by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath he established the heavens. {established: or, prepared}
Proverbs 3:19 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
20
By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.
Proverbs 3:20 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
21
My son, let not them depart from thine eyes: keep sound wisdom and discretion:
Proverbs 3:21 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
22
So shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace to thy neck.
Proverbs 3:22 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
23
Then shalt thou walk in thy way safely, and thy foot shall not stumble.
Proverbs 3:23 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
24
When thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid: yea, thou shalt lie down, and thy sleep shall be sweet.
Proverbs 3:24 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
25
Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh.
Proverbs 3:25 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
26
For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Proverbs 3:26 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
27
Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do {it}. {them...: Heb. the owners thereof}
Proverbs 3:27 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
28
Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to morrow I will give; when thou hast it by thee.
Proverbs 3:28 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
29
Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. {Devise...: or, Practise no evil}
Proverbs 3:29 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
30
Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm.
Proverbs 3:30 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
31
Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways. {the oppressor: Heb. a man of violence}
Proverbs 3:31 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
32
For the froward {is} abomination to the LORD: but his secret {is} with the righteous.
Proverbs 3:32 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
33
The curse of the LORD {is} in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
Proverbs 3:33 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
34
Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
Proverbs 3:34 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.
35
The wise shall inherit glory: but shame shall be the promotion of fools. {shall be...: Heb. exalteth the fools}
Proverbs 3:35 highlights wisdom, prayer, and faithful living with emphasis on law, gospel, grace, and faith.