Focused Passage

Proverbs 3:1-12

Trusting the LORD: Wisdom for the Heart, the Path, and the Neighbor

The chapter moves from internal instruction, to trust in the LORD, to stewardship and discipline, to the supreme value of wisdom, to guarded walking, to public righteousness toward neighbors.

Berean Standard Bible, Public Domain - Translation notes - Reference sources

1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments;

2 for they will add length to your days, years and peace to your life.

3 Never let loving devotion or faithfulness leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.

4 Then you will find favor and high regard in the sight of God and man.

5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding;

6 in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

7 Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.

8 This will bring healing to your body and refreshment to your bones.

9 Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your crops;

10 then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.

11 My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke;

12 for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.

Study Helps

References and Original Words

Verse 1

Cross-references

Joshua 1:8 Classic cross-references Romans 12:2 Classic cross-references Psalms 32:8 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 4:9 Classic cross-references Proverbs 4:4 Classic cross-references

Original words

My son בְּ֭נִי H1121 Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular do not אַל־ H408 Adverb forget תִּשְׁכָּ֑ח H7911 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular my teaching תּוֹרָתִ֣י H8451 Noun - feminine singular construct | first person common singular but let your heart לִבֶּֽךָ׃ H3820 Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular keep יִצֹּ֥ר H5341 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular my commandments וּ֝מִצְוֺתַ֗י H4687 Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct | first person common singular

Verse 2

Cross-references

Ephesians 6:1 Classic cross-references Psalms 91:16 Classic cross-references Proverbs 4:10 Classic cross-references Proverbs 9:11 Classic cross-references Proverbs 3:16 Classic cross-references

Original words

for כִּ֤י H3588 Conjunction they will add יוֹסִ֥יפוּ H3254 Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural length אֹ֣רֶךְ H753 Noun - masculine singular construct to your days יָ֭מִים H3117 Noun - masculine plural years וּשְׁנ֣וֹת H8141 Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural construct and peace וְ֝שָׁל֗וֹם H7965 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular to your life חַיִּ֑ים H2416 Noun - masculine plural

Verse 3

Cross-references

Luke 2:52 Classic cross-references Proverbs 7:3 Classic cross-references 2 Corinthians 3:3 Classic cross-references Hebrews 10:16 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 11:18 Classic cross-references

Original words

Never אַֽל־ H408 Adverb let loving devotion חֶ֥סֶד H2617 Noun - masculine singular or faithfulness וֶאֱמֶ֗ת H571 Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular leave you יַעַ֫זְבֻ֥ךָ H5800 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | second person masculine singular bind קָשְׁרֵ֥ם H7194 Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine plural them עַל־ H5921 Preposition around your neck גַּרְגְּרוֹתֶ֑יךָ H1621 Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular write them כָּ֝תְבֵ֗ם H3789 Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine plural on עַל־ H5921 Preposition the tablet ל֥וּחַ H3871 Noun - masculine singular construct of your heart לִבֶּֽךָ׃ H3820 Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular

BSB notes

Forms of the Hebrew chesed are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion; the range of meaning includes love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy, as well as loyalty to a covenant.

Verse 4

Cross-references

Luke 2:52 Classic cross-references 1 Samuel 2:26 Classic cross-references Romans 14:18 Classic cross-references Psalms 111:10 Classic cross-references Genesis 39:2 Classic cross-references

Original words

Then you will find וּמְצָא־ H4672 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular favor חֵ֖ן H2580 Noun - masculine singular and high regard וְשֵֽׂכֶל־ H7922 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular . . . ט֑וֹב H2896 Adjective - masculine singular in the sight בְּעֵינֵ֖י H5869 Preposition-b | Noun - cdc of God אֱלֹהִ֣ים H430 Noun - masculine plural and man וְאָדָֽם׃פ H120 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular

Verse 5

Cross-references

Psalms 37:5 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 17:7 Classic cross-references Proverbs 28:26 Classic cross-references Psalms 37:3 Classic cross-references Psalms 62:8 Classic cross-references

Original words

Trust בְּטַ֣ח H982 Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular in אֶל־ H413 Preposition the LORD יְ֭הוָה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular with all בְּכָל־ H3605 Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct your heart לִבֶּ֑ךָ H3820 Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular and lean תִּשָּׁעֵֽן׃ H8172 Verb - Nifal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular not אַל־ H408 Adverb on וְאֶל־ H413 Conjunctive waw | Preposition your own understanding בִּֽ֝ינָתְךָ֗ H998 Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular

Verse 6

Cross-references

Proverbs 16:3 Classic cross-references Psalms 32:8 Classic cross-references Philippians 4:6 Classic cross-references Proverbs 16:9 Classic cross-references Jeremiah 10:23 Classic cross-references

Original words

in all בְּכָל־ H3605 Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct your ways דְּרָכֶ֥יךָ H1870 Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular acknowledge Him דָעֵ֑הוּ H3045 Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular | third person masculine singular and He וְ֝ה֗וּא H1931 Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - third person masculine singular will make יְיַשֵּׁ֥ר H3474 Verb - Piel - Imperfect - third person masculine singular your paths {straight} אֹֽרְחֹתֶֽיךָ׃ H734 Noun - common plural construct | second person masculine singular

Verse 7

Cross-references

Proverbs 3:5 Classic cross-references Job 28:28 Classic cross-references Romans 12:16 Classic cross-references Proverbs 26:12 Classic cross-references Proverbs 16:6 Classic cross-references

Original words

Be תְּהִ֣י H1961 Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular not אַל־ H408 Adverb wise חָכָ֣ם H2450 Adjective - masculine singular in your own eyes בְּעֵינֶ֑יךָ H5869 Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | second person masculine singular fear יְרָ֥א H3372 Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker the LORD יְ֝הוָ֗ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular and turn away וְס֣וּר H5493 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Imperative - masculine singular from evil מֵרָֽע׃ H7451 Preposition-m | Adjective - masculine singular

Verse 8

Cross-references

Proverbs 4:22 Classic cross-references Psalms 147:3 Classic cross-references Isaiah 58:11 Classic cross-references Proverbs 16:24 Classic cross-references Job 21:24 Classic cross-references

Original words

This will bring תְּהִ֣י H1961 Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - third person feminine singular healing רִ֭פְאוּת H7500 Noun - feminine singular to your body לְשָׁרֶּ֑ךָ H8270 Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular and refreshment וְ֝שִׁקּ֗וּי H8250 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular to your bones לְעַצְמוֹתֶֽיךָ׃ H6106 Preposition-l | Noun - feminine plural construct | second person masculine singular

BSB notes

Hebrew navel
Or medicine

Verse 9

Cross-references

Matthew 6:33 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 16:16 Classic cross-references Malachi 3:10 Classic cross-references Philippians 4:19 Classic cross-references Luke 6:38 Classic cross-references

Original words

Honor כַּבֵּ֣ד H3513 Verb - Piel - Imperative - masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker the LORD יְ֭הוָה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular with your wealth מֵהוֹנֶ֑ךָ H1952 Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular and with the firstfruits וּ֝מֵרֵאשִׁ֗ית H7225 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct of all כָּל־ H3605 Noun - masculine singular construct your crops תְּבוּאָתֶֽךָ׃ H8393 Noun - feminine singular construct | second person masculine singular

Verse 10

Cross-references

Proverbs 19:17 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 28:8 Classic cross-references Proverbs 11:24 Classic cross-references Joel 2:24 Classic cross-references Proverbs 22:9 Classic cross-references

Original words

then your barns אֲסָמֶ֣יךָ H618 Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular will be filled וְיִמָּלְא֣וּ H4390 Conjunctive waw | Verb - Nifal - Conjunctive imperfect - third person masculine plural with plenty שָׂבָ֑ע H7647 Noun - masculine singular and your vats יְקָבֶ֥יךָ H3342 Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular will overflow יִפְרֹֽצוּ׃פ H6555 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural with new wine וְ֝תִיר֗וֹשׁ H8492 Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular

Verse 11

Cross-references

Hebrews 12:5 Classic cross-references Job 5:17 Classic cross-references Revelation 3:19 Classic cross-references James 1:12 Classic cross-references Psalms 94:12 Classic cross-references

Original words

My son בְּנִ֣י H1121 Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular do not אַל־ H408 Adverb reject תִּמְאָ֑ס H3988 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular the discipline מוּסַ֣ר H4148 Noun - masculine singular construct of the LORD יְ֭הוָה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular and do not וְאַל־ H408 Conjunctive waw | Adverb loathe תָּ֝קֹ֗ץ H6973 Verb - Qal - Imperfect Jussive - second person masculine singular His rebuke בְּתוֹכַחְתּֽוֹ׃ H8433 Preposition-b | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular

BSB notes

LXX and do not lose heart when He rebukes; cited in Hebrews 12:5

Verse 12

Cross-references

Hebrews 12:6 Classic cross-references Deuteronomy 8:5 Classic cross-references Revelation 3:19 Classic cross-references Psalms 103:13 Classic cross-references Proverbs 13:24 Classic cross-references

Original words

for כִּ֤י H3588 Conjunction - אֶ֥ת H853 Direct object marker the LORD יְהוָ֣ה H3068 Noun - proper - masculine singular disciplines יוֹכִ֑יחַ H3198 Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine singular the one אֲשֶׁ֣ר H834 Pronoun - relative He loves יֶאֱהַ֣ב H157 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular as [does] a father וּ֝כְאָ֗ב H1 Conjunctive waw, Preposition-k | Noun - masculine singular - אֶת־ H853 Direct object marker the son בֵּ֥ן H1121 Noun - masculine singular [in whom] he delights יִרְצֶֽה׃ H7521 Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular

BSB notes

LXX and He flogs every son He receives; cited in Hebrews 12:6

Read full chapter context All Proverbs chapters

<- Proverbs 2 Proverbs 3 Proverbs 4 ->