Proverbs 3:13-35

Proverbs 3:13-35

[13] Happy  is the man  that findeth  wisdom,  and the man  that getteth  understanding.  [14] For the merchandise  of it is better  than the merchandise  of silver,  and the gain  thereof than fine gold.  [15] She is more precious  than rubies:  and all the things thou canst desire  are not to be compared  unto her. [16] Length  of days  is in her right hand;  and in her left hand  riches  and honour.  [17] Her ways  of pleasantness,  and all her paths  are peace.  [18] She is a tree  of life  to them that lay hold  upon her: and happy  is every one that retaineth  her. [19] The LORD  by wisdom  hath founded  the earth;  by understanding  hath he established  the heavens.  [20] By his knowledge  the depths  are broken up,  and the clouds  drop down  the dew.  [21] My son,  let not them depart  from thine eyes:  keep  sound wisdom  and discretion:  [22] So shall they be life  unto thy soul,  and grace  to thy neck.  [23] in thy way  safely,  and thy foot  shall not stumble.  [24] When thou liest down,  thou shalt not be afraid:  yea, thou shalt lie down,  and thy sleep  shall be sweet.  [25] Be not afraid  of sudden  fear,  neither of the desolation  of the wicked,  when it cometh.  [26] For the LORD  shall be thy confidence,  and shall keep  thy foot  from being taken.  [27] Withhold  not good  from them to whom it is due,  when it is in the power  of thine hand  to do  it. [28] Say  not unto thy neighbour,  and come again,  and to morrow  I will give;  when thou hast  it by thee. [29] Devise  not evil  against thy neighbour,  seeing he dwelleth  securely  [30] Strive  not with a man  without cause,  if he have done  thee no harm.  [31] Envy  thou not the oppressor,  and choose  none of his ways.  [32] For the froward  is abomination  to 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 just.  [34] Surely he scorneth  but he giveth  grace  [35] The wise  shall inherit  glory:  but shame  shall be the promotion  of fools. 

What does Proverbs 3:13-35 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

"Sages reserve the laudatory exclamation blessed ("asre [1]) for people who experience life optimally, as the Creator intended." [1]5
Long life, riches, and honor ( Proverbs 3:16) were the rewards God promised the godly under the Old Covenant. The tree of life figure ( Proverbs 3:18) implies that wisdom is the source and sustainer of a long and beneficial life (cf. Proverbs 3:16). [3] The point is that by pursuing the way of Wisdom of Solomon , a person can obtain the best things God has to offer him or her.
"It"s good to have the things money can buy, provided you don"t lose the things money can"t buy. What good is an expensive house if there"s no happy home within it? Happiness, pleasantness, and peace aren"t the guaranteed by-products of financial success, but they are guaranteed to the person who lives by God"s wisdom. Wisdom becomes a "tree of life" to the believer who takes hold of her, and this is a foretaste of heaven ( Revelation 22:1-2)." [4]
In Proverbs 3:21-35 we can see the quality of love in the wise son. Proverbs 3:27-30 deal with neighborliness. The situation in view in Proverbs 3:27-28 is one in which someone owes money, not one in which giving is an act of charity (cf. Leviticus 19:13). The point is: pay your debts promptly. [1]6 We could apply Proverbs 3:30 by taking it as a warning against hauling someone into court on flimsy accusations. [6]
"The Book of Proverbs is the best manual you"ll find on people skills, because it was given to us by the God who made us, the God who can teach us what we need to know about human relationships, whether it"s marriage, the family, the neighborhood, the Job , or our wider circle of friends and acquaintances. If we learn and practice God"s wisdom as presented in Proverbs , we"ll find ourselves improving in people skills and enjoying life much more." [7]
Proverbs 3:31-35 warn against the temptation to resort to violence when we deal with neighbors. One must decide if he or she wants to be odious to God or be His intimate friend ( Proverbs 3:32). That is the issue in choosing the ways of the wicked or those of the upright. James 4:6 and 1 Peter 5:5 quote the Septuagint version of Proverbs 3:34. Proverbs 3:35 probably means that fools display dishonor because that is what they get for their choices-in contrast to the wise, who get honor.